FLS 

2015 

087178 






*tw/ 

■\> * O • A ® .G V 

<$> n V 0 N o *i* 

*fi f U g ° _ * o 

G * c^^v *? o 


*W 




* ° 

/ .^'V * 

..* 5 / 
jy 

* ” ^ 
o 

# 

>• s^ypif' * iP^, * • 4 o 

o v^Pfr ^ % ’aj^^*° >y * 

%> **i'° ^°' *<f^*** * 0 9 * Xp °G ** 

° ^ <4 *vsffv. ^ .❖ /aVa*. v 


: s* • 

/ .^■'V ° 

~'« 4 .y" <, *' 

c>- , • 1 " * <fU 



* C S VfV -» 

* w* v ’0> * 

< ^ ^ - 



v b v* 



t ^ . 

* <k v CV * 

° * 0 \V ^ 4 * » •» ’ A. v 

.0^ 

.•>«•. v ,<,<* •• 

-%u>. : 

* '£> v 0> ® 

4 -o, v * 

*o *\* ,0^ %3 * 


^ 0 < 



5 * • i- 


o .‘ 

' * 

: *b v^ ; 

; 4 ? *+ : 

* a * 

’ o 9 V ^ 0 
* -> 

'>; % 
Z * 

* V> 

^tp .Or o 0 " • * ^b 4 ^ V # w ' * „ n V 




* 

-a t v O 

<r °<*. *»'’• « 

' * - ~ s> 


\0 f/" ° 

- V 4 * « 

^0 rk. * 
XT ^ -> 


° -a 5 ^ 

* ,/ °o * 


& 

Jr *‘ 

: *b ^ : ; 




/ 4 ° ^ \ 

*»'»<> 0 * i 7 r ‘ ** A . 0 ****■*,, 

* ^ \> *’•»« c\ ,0 

'• ^ <V /^A*. 






** 




'V & * 


« o 

* <Y <<■ 



& <o 

\ : 




% 


*o.,+ ,6 


■ A ^ 

* 1 1 * + "^a 

V* 0^ 


4 V >. *« 


y 


•fe. 


* * 


*bv* 


* 


A 0 ^ 



0 'O 


?> 0 »lS||^ s o ’ «5 °^ 

■° ^ %v <y 

On o V) 

4 \ 

* 


: 



•, VA 


° > V' ,^ u *'4*^3*^'. «£| 


' . 'o'. » * ,0 

0 • A, o 




• « 


© 

o A* A * 0 

♦* & % • 
5 A 


<\ '<TA * ,6 


■• ^ „< ; \ 


■>■-•* •/»■.•, ’5T3 ■>«*= 


» / 1 


<* 


" V A 




• 0^ o 

*4? ^ ° 


^ ^5 ^ 

-» <*: v \^~ * <x.^ o_ 

f° ^ °"° A °*p 

jy *«”'* 0 v *’•». o. 


vrA 


* « 


0 V o°" a * 


^oV* 


^ « 


o V 


o <{5 ^ 
• <?> 

'<J> *o»o° ^ 

* ^ t'fc » 


y, v «f # 1 • 


N 


v * * • °* 


O *£* 

In A 


innii 


*o , * * .0 


° A** ° 


A VA* A 


0 c 0 * 0 * o 


u* 


o V . 

\Q «7* , 0 

«> ct* w 




^5 °^ 

• % ^ ^ ^ 


* Y • c\ 


^ o H o° ^ Ku ** k 




iSN 


vN .*•“«■ 'cv 

t, a ;,aV,v ^ 







NOV 1 1 IBO 


£ 

, • • \- i 


whiMwifflii 



OR THE ADVENTURES OF ' ^ 5 

Andrew Jackson Pettyjohn. 


NTUR£S 


A fiZU&O 


-o- 


This little book is respectfully inscribed to the sailors of 
the United States of America. To the men who 
brave the dangers of the deep. And by their 
daring and bravery, have made the name of 
America respected in foreign lands, and 

our flag honored on the high se^**- ^ 
Who have figured conspi^ptfs^ ^ u ,v ' fZ"\ 
ly in the interest of A\}e 

nature, in time & J. C C ii ? UjO’/ " 
peace, and stood 
by her dur- 
ing the 
perils 
of 


of c oot* y? 


war. 


Copyrighted by Hndrew Jackson lPettyjobn. 


o 


WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY 

ROBT. B. HOPKINS, M. D. 


n 


-o- 


1897. 

“EXCELSIOR” BOOK, AND JOB PRINT, 

MILFORD, DELAWARE. 





PREFACE. 


A word of explanation to the reader, as to how the pres- 
ent volume came into existance. Mr. Pettyjohn, the chara- 
cter here set forth, has been importuned time and again 
to have a sketch of his life published. These requsts have 
been so numerous and frequent that at last he consented; 
and asked me to assume the task. Being a novice in the 
art of writing books, I approached the work with some 
timidity. The w T riter has not indeavored to deal in fiction 
or lead the reader by any flights of the imagination to the 
supernatural; but simply to set forth facts in a plain and 
concise manner while admitting that there are incidents 
that could be woven into pieces of fiction or romance, yet 
this would necessarily swell the book to proportions not 
intended. To those who are interested in adventure; this 
little volume may be entertaining if not in some degree 
instructive. So far as the moral tone of the book is con- 
cerned, the writer does not hold himself responsible; the 
reader must judge for himself and draw his own conclu- 
sions-Books that set forth a high standard of morals do 
not necessarily accomplish what their authors; desire. We 
learn to avoid the pit falls into which others have fallen- 
not by pointing always to that which is good, but often 
to that which is positively bad. To the young man who 
is starting out on lifes voyage, it may indicate what to 
avoid, and induce him to strive to do that which will ad- 
vance his own interest, and improve the conditions of 
those with whom he is called upon to commingle and as- 


4 - 


PREFACE. 

-ociate- There is a certain amount of faccinatirm 4 
venture to which we are all suceptible 4 d r n ?> 

aid of which they will be enabled to keep clear of t’w 

memorv Th,. n ° and depends entirely upon his 

b n ' , 7 h » wn f* r has taken the facts as reulated Th- 
b ok, . admit could be couched in a more select ohras 
-ology; but Ifear it would lose its simplicity and charm' 
1 he w rlter therefore presents it to the public without any 
■ ctuiou, coloring; hoping it will be received kindly and 
ia> prove interesting and instructive. Thecharacter here 
portrayed has reached the limit of three score tears and 
emu nh old age come decrepitude... And being no loin-er 
-be o work fora livelihood; and being in need of financial 

,e?i :,r ble hin V t0 , bear the 'burdens whkh Sd 

ne\ uablv impose has been the principal motive which his 

W "“ <" ttS publication 'of this 


ittle volume. 

Tilton Del. March 8 1897. 


R. B. Hopkins. M. D. 






. v«. 




t • i&S 




-ar 


,v- ; 


;*-• 


*• .. 
v « . . 


:• >■ 
; -r ' 


r ' ’ V- 


■■■* . •• 






l 




A 


•• , V- 




;? . *y* • ■ . 


■ . -■ 

v - 4 






, •■ • . . . • s . 

! - A . 


. ■ A 

• . .:■••• ■ ■ • rv 

■ A. 


' A’iAvA 






A 


A - 


A; 










& ■ ■ 




























CHAPTER I. 

MY FIRST ADVENTURE WHEN THIRTEEN YEARS OLD. 

I was born on the 15th, day of Oct., 1818 near the 
little town of Milton, Sussex Co., Del. 

My parents were not blessed with a large amount of 
earthly riches; yet by industry and economy managed to 
gain a respectable livelihood. 

I was the oldest of six children. My earlv davs 
were spent on the farm. I never priden myself in being 
the ideal boy usually portrayed in Sunday School books; 
but like all natural boys, was possessed of juvenile pro- 
clivities. 

Possibly these proclivities in my case may have de- 
veloped abnormal conditions i I suppose and I merited 
the appellative “bad boy.’" 

This I chronicled to my sorrow: for a thousand times 
have I had occasion to regret; and with humiliation to 
repent. I possessed a will that feared no opposition faced 
every difficulty confident of success — and at times, was 
almost indomitable. With these I discriminized, I was 
possessed of a wandering disposition, I was - desirous of 
knowing more of the World than the vicinity in which I 
lived offered. The sea had always been the great object 
of ni}" boyhood's fancy. To be 011 board a ship — to sail 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


9' 


the seas — to visit different ports and see the different na- 
tions of which I had often heard others speak, would be, 
I thought, the consumation of my boyhood dreams. 
These fancies so preyed upon my imagination that I felt 
an almost irresistible power drawing me in that direction. 
Having arrived at the age of thirteen, I concluded it was 
time to put my desires into execution. To follow out my 
inclination, I knew it would be necessary for me “to run 
away from home” — as it would be impossible to get the 
consent of my father to allow me to attempt so bold a 
prospect. Accordingly on the ist., day of August in 
the year 1833, I resolved to make the attempt. While at 
work one day in the field, I seized the opportunity to 
make my escape. Acquaintances were living not far dis- 
tant — near a stream of water called Indian River Inlet, 
and I concluded to make their home the starting point of 
my prospective adventure. After a tedious walk, I ar- 
rived at my destination. They received me kindly; and 
after supper I was shown to bed. Tired and sleepy, my 
enthusiasm for travel and adventure, I assure you, had 
somewhat abated; however, I was soon a sleep — slept 
soundly, awoke in the morning feeling refreshed. 
I remained there several days before I informed my hos- 
tess of my intentions; and the object of this unexpected 
visit. She seemed interested in my cause, and offered to 
render me whatever assistance she could give. I reques- 
ted of her, should anyone enquire for me to tell them I 
was not there; — as I expected every moment a mesage 


IO. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


from home, nor were my suspicions without foundations: 
for in a few minutes my father, who had learned of my 
absence, came to make inquiry of my whereabouts. Seeing 
him approach, she secluded me under a bed. She told my 
father when he made inquiry, that I was at her house 
yesterday, but had left and had gone in the direction of 
the Inlet with the hope of getting a passage on a small 
schooner to Philadelphia. 

Straightway, he set off. Being unable to find me 
he left orders with the Captain that should a boy of the 
description which he gave, appear, not to take him. 
Learning of this, I knew my hopes in this direction were 
baffled. So not to be out-done on my first attempt, I 
resolved to walk to Lewes, a town twelve miles distant, 
by way of the beach. Quite an undertaking, yet I sum- 
med up courage and started. It was a lonely walk yet 
my time was employed watching the breakers as they 
dashed upon the shore, looking at the vessels in the dis- 
tance; while my immagination was drawn out, picturing 
the beauties and pleasure of a sailor’s life. Still I trudged 
on,occasionly sitting down to rest, until I came to Cape 
Henlopen Light House. Here I had a view of the Dela- 
ware Bay, also saw some vessels riding at anchor near 
shore. At first sight I thought this a favorable opportuni- 
ty, but upon further investigation found it impossible to 
get aboard of any of them. But I had fully made up my 
mind not to return home. Seeing in the distance two 
vessels which looked as though they might be near shore 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. II. 

I again revived my courage and started. After a long 
and tedious journey (for I was very tired) I succeeded in 
reaching them. They were lying at anchor in the Broad- 
kiln Creek. These two vessels were laden with stone 
waiting for favorable tide and wind to carry their cargo 
to the Breakwater; which at that time was under con- 
struction. I boarded one of these vessels named the ‘ ‘ Fame 
of Milton.” I saw the Captain and succeeded in getting 
a berth as cook. The tide soon “made,” and we put out 
to discharge our cargo. The weather becoming unfavor- 
able, we were forced to put back in the creek for harbor. 
Two of the sailors left the vessel and came to Milton. 
While there, they saw a man (who was my father) mak- 
ing inquiry about a boy; and informed him there was a 
boy answering his discription aboard the vessel “Fame;” 
at anchor near the mouth of the Broadkiln Creek. Im- 
mediately he started in persuit. At the time he arrived 
near the vessel I was at the mast head, getting a view of 
the Country. Seeing him approach, I straight-way came 
down, and hid myself behind one of the large stones in 
the hold. I had barely secreted myself before I heard 
him hail the schooner. The Captain and I were the only 
ones aboard; and he was asleep in the cabin. Father 
hailed several times before awaking him. Finally he 
awoke, and came on deck. Upon inquiry he informed 
father there was a boy answering his discription; and 
lowering the boat, brought him aboard. They in- 
stituted a search. The Captain, with the aid of a lantern 


12 . 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


found me stowed away. “Here he is,” said the Captain 
“Come out Jackson: Your father wants you." It was 

useless to resist: so I come out. You may immagine my 

« 

feelings. I expected to find father enraged, but instead, 
she thus accosted me. “Jackson my boy, come, go home 
your mother is nearly crazy to see you; and I will forgive 
you if you will not do so again." The Captain then set 
us a shore, and we started for home. My mother, broth- 
ers and sisters, who were anxously awaiting our return, 
came out to meet us. My mother, with tears in her eyes, 
clasped me in her arms, and said, “you have been a bad 
boy. “But I promised her I would do so no more. Yet 
in my mind I fully resolved to go to sea at the next op- 
portunity. 

After this episode, I went by the name of “Sailor 
Jack.” 

My designs being thus frustrated, I endeavored to content 
myself and patinetly wait fertile next opportunity. On the 
29th, of June the following year, a mesenger came to my 
fathers house imforming him that my uncle was very sick, 
and requesting him to come immediately. He and mother 
concluded to go. Before leavning he said to me. , , Jackson, 
you stay at home and tend to the things untill I return. ’ 
At that time, near our house, they were burning charcoal. 
Before he left, I asked him, “could I go and see the kills.” 
He gave his consent, but said, be sure and get home in 
time to feed the cattle. In the morning, instead of going 
to the coal kils, I concluded that during their absence 


I 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 13. 

L 

it would be a favorable opportunity for me to leave home 
again. I imformed the girl Lydia, who lived with us, that 
I was going away; and wanted her to assist me; Also to 
tell no one where I had gone. She said she would. She 
immediately set about cooking, and prepared me enough 
bread and meat to last two or three days. If you pleas Ly- 
dia” “I said I want you to get my best clothes and tie them 
up in a bundle which she did. At twilight, while Lydia, my 
brothers and sisters were out milking, I opened my fath- 
ers desk and took all the money I found thereabout seventy 
cents, this with a few penies I had been saveing nearly a 
year, amounting in all to one dollar ane twenty five cents. 
In the evening there came two ladies and gentlemen, and 
there was also my Cousin Lavinia Warren a girl about 
nine years old to keep my sisters company. Lydia asked 
me how are you goingto get away! “Oh; said 1“ I will 
fix that all right.” I asked Lydia and cousin to carry my 
bundle a short distance from the house and I would follow 
Now every thing seemed favorable for my departure. As 
I started out, one of the gentlemen asked me, “Where are 
you going” I replied “Only down to the kills” Going out 
of the yard, I called Rover the dog; and we started to 
join the party. Rover was a fine dog. I have seen my 
father refuse several times to take twenty five dollars for 
him. Rover and I soon came up with Lydia and 
my cousin. We walked along togather until we came to 
a narrow road called Tam’s Lane. Here we sat down un- 
der a large oak to talk. Here they promised the}' would 




14- 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


never tell of my departure. I kissed Lydia and my cousin 
shook hands, and bid them a long “good by. '’I said come 
Rover, we will be going; And we started on our Jour- 
ney. My objective point was Milford; but I knew the road 
only as far as Reynold’s Mills, about six miles 
distance. There being no moon, the night was dark, yet by 
chance (after passing the mill) I took the right road and 
walked until I came within sight of the town. I said to 
Rover, “We will have something to eat.’’ Undoing my 
bundle I gave Rover a piece of meat, and took some my 
self. Then I tied up the bundle and said to him, “We 
will go no further to night; we will rest.’’ So laying the 
bundle under my head, the dog and I lay down together 
in the joint of the fence and were soon asleep. In the mor- 
ning, I was awakened by an old colored man tapping my 
foot several times with a cane. Rover immediately sprang 
up and at him; and would have bitten him had I not com- 
mandingly called him off. “Where are you going’ ’? “asked 
the old man.” “To Dover to see my uncle,’’ I replied. He 
invited me to go home with him and get my breakfast. So 
Rover and I accompanied him across the field to his 
house. I remember very well what he had for breakfast 
(fried chicken, johnie cake and coffee). He and I sat 
down, and I ate a hearty meal. He also fed Rover, when 
breakfast was over I asked him if he would be kind enough to 
walk through the town and show me the right road to Do- 
ver. He replied that he was old, and could not walk very 
far but would send Ann. his daughter. After my thanking 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


15 * 


the old gentleman for his hospitality his daughter took my 
bundle and we walked on to the Tub Mill, She then dir- 
ected me on the right road. I thanked her very kindly, and 
Rover and I started again on our journey. We passed 
through the town of Frederica about eleven o’clock just 
as the streets were full of people going to church. I, feeling 
as if every one were looking at and regarding me. Com. 
ming to a piece of woods we sat down to rest, and ate our 
dinners. Being thirsty we walked on to a farm house by 
the road side, a man was standing by the door. I asked 
him for a drink of water. “There is plenty in the well,” he 
said, and it is free for all. Come and get what you want.’’ 
So Rover and I walked through the yard to the well and 
quenched our thirst. After this, the following conversation 
took place. “Where are you from, boy?” “From Indian 
River Sir. ’’“Where are you going? I am going above Do- 
er to my uncle's.” “What is your name? and have you a 
father and mother” My name is Jackson Pettyjohn, and 
my father and mother both are dead. ’ ’ ‘ ‘Any brothers or sis- 
ters? “No sir I am the only child.” “I suppose then, you 
are going to live with your uncle?' ’ “Yes sir. ” “And what 
is your uncles name?” “William Pettyjohn.” “What does 
your uncle do?” “He is a farmer sir.” “I notice y r ou have 
a very fine dog. Would you like to sell him?“No sir I 
would not part with him he was my father dog.” “You 
had better let me have him, I will give y r ou three dollars for 
him; as y^ou say your father is dead. ” • To part with Rover 
my only and faithful companion who had watched over 


i6. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


me while I slept, and guanarded me from harm, to never 
see him again, were thoughts that almost brought tears 
to my eyes. However three dollars seemed so much mon- 
ey to me, and I should need it, I studied it over, and 
thro ugh t best to sell him; as he would have a good home 
and posibly he might betray me. I told the man he ^culd 
have him. He than gave me a rope. I plaiced it around the 
dog's neck and tied him in an out house. “Here is your 
money "he said, he handed me three one dollar notes“Take 
care of this, and buy you some cloth they will do you more 
good than the dog." “What is his name?” “Rover." 
“You had better stay with me, said the man. I am in 
need of a boy" No thank 37-011 I said I must go to my un- 
cle so, bidding Rover good by, we parted. I cried over 
it and he whined as I went away. I then took the road 
again; this time alone. I had not gone far before a colored 
man came out of a woods near by, going in the same dir- 
ection. How far are 3^011 agoing young man? asked the 
negro. “I am going to Dover in search of work .Do you 
know of any one wanting a bo3d “The man with whom I 
live is in need of a hand he replied and possibH will em- 
ploy you." thereupon I asked, “What is his name and 
how far does he live from here? I replied“Hi.s name is Jesse 
Steel and he lives about a mile from Bowers Beach’ ’.There 
upon I decided to go home with 1113^ colored friend. Here 
is a young man said the negro to Mr Steel, when we ar- 
rived, who wants employment, “How much do you want 
by the da3^ or month? asked Mr Steel. I dont know sir. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


17 - 


“Then I will give you a levy a day. What is your name?’ 
“Wm. Pettyjohn. ' He added, I knew a man by the name 
of Thomas Pettyjohn who lived neighbour to me near 
Milton. You are his son are you not; and have you run a 
way?” “Yes sir”. I then gave my bundles and what money I 
had to his daughter Mary. We then went in to supper. 
Monday morning he set me to work thinning corn. This 
was my employment for a week. Sunday morning Mr Steel 
saddled his horse and rode off. I felt uneasy. My suspi- 
cions growing stronger, I said to Mary, I wish you would 
get me my bundle I want to put on a clean shirt also bring 
me my money. “You are goingaway”? She asked me. I 
replied 14 Yes” ,1 fear your father has gone to inform on me. 
She tried to persuade me to stay; but all in vain. Taking 
my bundles and money I started. I walked to Forest Lan- 
ding, (now known as Lebanon) a few miles below Do- 
ver on Jones’Creek. The sloop Poineer, Captain Maxon of 
Frederica was lying at the wharf. I went on board and 
asked the captain if he wanted a hand? He replied I have 
just sent two sailors to look for a cook. You wait here un- 
til they return and if they fail to bring one I will ship 
you. Were you ever on a vessel before?He asked. Yes sir, 
I was cook on the “Fame of Milton. ” Then you may get 
us some dinner he said. I set about it the best I could (for 
I had never cooked a thing in my life before, beyond what I 
had done during my week on the Fame) and endeavored to 
prepare the meal. When read} 7 I called the captain. He 
came down in the cabin and we both sat down to dinner; 


i8. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


when the following conversation took place. “I don’t think 
you are much of a cook, " said the captain, but never 
mind we will teach you. “Where are you from? Indian 
River, sir I replied. “Have you any father or mother? No 
sir, they are dead. “I do not want to get myself into 
any trouble in taking you." Failing to find a cook 
the sailors soon returned. Continued the captain, “Then 
I will take you, and if you prove to be a good boy will 
give you three dollars a month. The wind shifted to the 
eastward, and the tide getting low, we could not get out. 
The crew went home, leaving me in charge of the vessel. 
They did not return until Tuesday. At high tide the 
wind being fair, we made sail again and went out. About 
a mile from shore we were becalmed, and tide making 
against us, we anchored. I tell you I was a proud boy. 
About 12 o'clock the wind breezed up and we got under 
way. We arrived at Philadelphia, Sunday night, and 
anchored off Almond St., Wharf. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


19 - 


CHAPTER II. 

WHILE SERVING AS AN APPRENTICE. 

Philadelphia was a great sight to me. My eves 
were opened wide with wonder and astonishment. I 
had heard of a city, but my immagination had not led 
me to expect any thing on such a stupendous plan. Its 
massive buildings. Its hum with industry and life. Its 
crowded streets. The noise and confusion, almost be- 
wildered me. Where did so many people come from? Was a 
question I asked myself. Surely, thought I, here is a 
field for exploration. Here I can find variety — a grand 
chance which has repaid me already for my trouble in 
getting away from the seclusion of the life on the farm. 
Now I am on the right road to see the World. I resolved 
I would not remain longer on the Pioneer. So taking 
my clothes out of the cabin, I hid them in the fore-peak 
of the vessel. While the crew were at breakfast, I took 
my bundle and left. The same day I shipped in the sloop 
William & Alfred, (Capt. Jackson), loaded with lime- 
stone, bound for five miles above Trenton, on the Board - 
ingtown Canal, N. J. We soon arrived there, discharged 
our cargo, came back to Boardingtown and loaded with 
sand for Philadelphia, where the Captain paid me off 


20. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS EROM HOME. 

with ten dollars. I then shipped with Captain Win, 
Yates on the schooner Little John, of Delaware City. 
She was loaded with coal bound for New York. While 
going up the Jersey Coast the vessel got ashore and sprang 
a leak. We got her off without much trouble, and soon 
arrived in New York. Unloaded, we made our way 
back to Philadelphia. I told the Captain I was not gO' 
ing to sea any more — was going to try something else. 
So he gave me my discharge. I then shipped on a canal 
boat named the Elizabeth, with Captain Andrew Wilker- 
son. She traded through the Pennsylvania and Pottsville 
Canal. I shipped as driver. The captain, bowsman and 
myself composed the crew. From the first of August to 
the tenth of November, we made successful trips. In 
November at Port Clinton( forty miles above Philabelphia) 
the boat froze 'lip in the ice, and there being no likelihood 
of the canal opening, we unloaded the boat and stored our 
goods in a ware house. The captain said to me ‘'you 
have been a good boy; now I want you to go home with 
me and stay this Winter. I will not charge you any 
board. All I request of you is to await on my wife, make 
the fires and run errands. Also you shall go to school if 
you like;it shall not cost you a cent.’' I accepted his pro- 
posal. And that evening we took passage in the stage- 
coach for Pottsville, where we arrived at one o’clock in 
the morning. Mrs. Wilkerson was a very pleasant wom- 
an; and received me kindly. During my residence with 
them, I went to school as suggested by the Captain. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 21. 

While there, I thought of learning a trade, so I consulted 
Captain and Mrs.Wilkerson about the matter. They con- 
cluded I had better stay where I was, and goto school; 
adding, that I was young, and too unsettled yet to learn 
a trade. Mrs Wilkerson had become very much attached 
to me. And one day she said, “William, I want you to 
stay with us : I like you better than any 7 boy 7 we have had about 
the house; but of course you can do as you please. If y 7 ou 
get dissatisfied, remember this is your home as before.’' I 
thought the subject over, and concluded it would be best 
for me to learn a trade. The next day^ I called to see the 
manager of a Shoe Factory, we soon agreed on terms, I 
went home and told Captain and Mrs.Wilkerson I was going 
to learn to be a shoemaker. The following morning I started 
to work. The shop in which I was to work employed 
twenty two men. I suppose y 7 ou might have called it a 
Factory^ at that time, though they T did not work with 
machinery but did all the work by r hand. This factory, 
was situated at Mt. Carbon, half a mile below Pottsville 
opposite Captain Wilkerson’s home. My work as an appren- 
tice was to open the factory make the fires empty the scrap 
tubs, and sweep the floors. After doing this I was em- 
ployed in hammering out soles for shoes; and at odd times 
I sewed straps on boots and did counter stitching. After 
being there three weeks, I began to get tired. One morn- 
ing the overseer(a German)and myself became involved in 
a quarrel which terminated in a fight, I got the better 
of him by 7 shoving him backward into one of the scrap tubs 


22. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


making the water with which it was full, fly up to the 
ceiling. Captain Wilkerson was standing in the door at the 
time of the scuffle. He said, “What is the trouble? I 
thought you would not like the business long. Come back, 
my house is your home.” So I went back with him and 
this wound up my career in the shoe business. 

One day while wandering about the town, I chanced 
to go near a machine shop. Being attracted by the noise, 
I stopped and looked in through one of the windows. 
While standing there a gentleman came up and said to 
me, “Young man, where are you from?” I replied, from 
Indian River,Del.sir”:“How old are you? “In my four- 
teenth }^ear.” “Are your father and mother living?” 
No sir: “they are dead.” “With whom do you live?' ! 
“Captain Wilkerson, sir, the boatman.” “I suppose 
then you intend remaining with him on the boat?” “I 
do not know, Sir.” “You had better come with me and 
learn a trade, I think you would make a good machinist. 
I will take you to my house, you can go to school three 
months in a year. I will teach you a good trade; and 
when you are twenty-one will give you one hundred dol- 
lars and a suit of clothes. I hope you will make up your 
mind to come and live with me.” This man, I learned 
to be, Mr* Haywood of the firm of Haywood & Pomeroy. 
Going home I told Captain Wilkerson I had met Mr. 
Haywood, and what he said to me. “I think that is a 
very good offer.” said the Captain. “I have known Mr. 
Hayood for several years; and he is in every respect a 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


23 - 


gentleman. I think it would be the best thing for you to 
do; but I fear it will be like the shoe business”. So tak- 
ing the Captain’s advice I took my clothes and started 
early on Monday morning to live with Mr. Haywood. 
At that time they were building a large engine for Miner- 
al Coal Mountain. Things went well for a time. The 
business was confining; and being all work and no play, 
I began to get a little tired “All work and no play makes 
Jack a dull boy:” On Sundays Mrs. Haywood requested 
me to go to Sunday School. This did not strike me very 
favorably; however, I did not complain. On the ioth, of 
April Captain Wilkerson started on his first trip of the 
season to Philadelphia. I was not long in making up 
my mind what to do. Sunday I pretended to prepare 
myself for Sunday School. It being my intention to 
leave, I put on all the clothes I could wear and started in 
the direction for the church. Instead of going to Sunday 
School I took the tow path, knowing I oould overtake 
the Captain at Amsterdam “Twenty Two Miles Level,” 
before sun-down. The Captain seeing me coming; said, 
“Here comes Perry gen! ”(the name I had given him) “No 
more than I expected. Come aboard its all right; and tell 
us what is the trouble. Did you not like Mr. and Mrs. 
Haywood?” “Yes” I replied, “but the work was too 
confining.” “Well what are you going to do now? I 
have a driver hired by the year.” “I think Captain, I 
will go to sea.” Come aboard then you can help us drive 
until we get to Philadelphia. We were five days on the 


24. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


passage. We arrived in Philadelphia in the night; made 
fast just below Market St., Bridge, and turned in. In the 
morning I noticed a topsail yard arm schooner lying 
below us. After breakfast I went onboard. The vessel's 
name was the Brenard of Ingram, Massachusetts; com- 
manded by Captain Elisha P. Lincoln. I enquired if he 
wanted any hands, I am in need of a cook, “said he, 
And if you are a good one, will take you“ “I will not 
say that I am a extra good cook" I replied, “but have had 
some experence in that direction." He asked, “What 
wages do you want? “The vessel I was in they gave me ten 
dollars” Come aboard then, and if you are any kind of 
a cook, I will give you twelve dollars a month, "he said. 

I went back to the canal boat, got my clothes and bid 
Captain Wilkerson, “Good by.” I hope you will do well 
said he, “Come and see us when you can. “I immediately 
went on board, and that day we sailed for Boston. The 
schooner was owned by Captain Lincoln and others of 
Ingram Massachusetts, fifteen miles from Boston We made 
a quick passage unloaded our vessel and went from there 
to Windsor, where we loaded with granite for Sing Sing 
prison New York. While out, we encountered a very heavy 
North East storm which carried away our top sail and 
Lying jib boom, We made the, trip in seven days arriving 
in New York the first day of May. After discharging our 
cargo, repaired vessel, took in ballast and sailed for Rich- 
mond Virginia, where we loaded with soft coal for Boston. 
After twenty days of rough weather we ai rived again in 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


25 * 


Boston. We made five successive round trips between Wind- 
sor, Richmond and Boston. After filling this contract 
we went to Bangor Maine, to load lumber, arriving in Bos- 
ton we took in ballast, and sailed for Richmond Virginia. 
While in Richmond, Captain Lincoln was taken sick with 
Break Bone Fever, which detained the vessel ten days. 
Getting better, we loaded with wheat for Boston the last 
of August, 1835. We had a very rough passage home. 
While lying hove to in a storm, I was carrying a basket 
of fish down the cabin; my foot slipped, I fell and broke 
every dish except one plate. This rather provoked the 
Captain. “Don’t you wash another dish until you have 
forgotten what was in it last!” he roared. I replied, “I 
beg your pardon Captain, it was unintentional on my part. 
The storm raged furiously for three days, and then abated. 
The next day we made Gay Head, Martha’s Vineyard. 
The Captain was again taken sick, and the mate, Mr. 
Lawson took charge of the vessel. We sailed up through 
Vineyard Sound, over Nantucket Shoals, and thence to 
Boston. We were twenty days on the passage. After 
unloading, the mate said to the captain, I think the best 
thing you can do is to take your vessel home until you 
get well. Concurring with him in this, we sailed the ves- 
sel to Ingram and laid her up. Calling me in to his room 
the Captain said; “Cook, I want you to go home with 
me and stay until I get better. You can go to school 
with my children, William and Mary, and improve your- 
self; and when I start the vessel again I will take you; ’’To 


26 . 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


this I readily agreed, Captain Lincoln lived midway be- 
tween Ingram and North Cohasset, his home being three 
miles from either place. Owning his own house and land, 
he lived in easy circumstances. Having no work to do, 
I was sent to school. Occasionally I was sent on errands to 
Ingram for articles for the house, such as Coffee, Sugar, 
&c., and was entrusted with orders for money. In No- 
vember I began to get dissatisfied with my new home: and 
began planning schemes to get away . One day -while at school 
I asked William Lincoln if he would like to go to sea?” 
We will go to Boston, ’ 1 I suggested, “and get a berth on 
some vessel. The prospect at first did not seem to strike him 
favorably ;but after a little persuasion he consented." Your 
father often sends me to the store after various articles, and 
occasionally for money. I am acquainted with Mr. Lawson 
who keeps the store, and I will tell you what we will do. 
You write an order, sign your father’s name to it: we will get 
the money from Mr. Lawson, and go to Boston. At noon 
leaving his sister at school we started for Ingram. On the 
way he wrote an order for twenty five dollars and signed 
his fathers name. Mr Lawson’s son was in thestore when 
we arrived. Handing him the order, I said, “Here is a note 
from Captain Lincoln: I am in a hurry. “Taking the money 
from the drawer he wrapped it carefully in a piece of paper 
and handed to me, saying, “Here you are; be careful that 
you do not loose it. I then joined William who was waiting 
outside. We then went aboard the steamer, General, 
Lincoln, and hid ourselves in a closet foward of the wheel 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


27. 


i house. At five o’clock, she left, and at seven we arrived 
in Boston. We landed at Long Wharf. A great crowd 
being present. The thought occured to me, “this 
will be a good chance to get away from William: as 
I fear he will be a source of trouble.’’ I mancevered 
around until I lost him, deserted him without a penny. 
I learned afterward that hewas acquainted with one of the 
crew on the steamer, who assisted him in getting home. 
Being free footed, and having nearly twenty-five dollars in 
my posession, I walked up North St. 

Fell in with an old sailor, whom I asked if he 
could tell me of a boardinghouse?' ' And I went with him 
up the street to a house kept by Thomas Gool. Where 
are you from?" asked my new made friend. “I was cast 
away in the schooner Neptune on Long Island.” (The 
wreck of this schooner had occurred several days previous; 
and hearing others speak of it, I thought possibly it might 
give me some notoriety, and be the means of my early 
obtaining a situation.) The sailor introduced me to the 
boarding-master as a cast-away from the schooner Neptune. 
He asked, “Have you any clothes?” I said, “No sir: 
we saved nothing, barely saved ourselves. The schooner 
was a total loss.” “You have had no supper, and I sup- 
pose are without money.” He called his wife, and or- 
dered her to get me some supper. I did not go out that 
night, telling them I had \valked all the way from Prov- 
idence, R. I. I feigned being very tired, and requested 
to be shown to bed. I had not been to bed very long 


28 . 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


before an old sailor also came up, and we occupied the 
room together. I could not sleep that night: studying 
about what I had done, (not from a proper sense; but 
knowing the penalty of the same). About four in the 
morning my room mate arose and went down stairs. I 
immediately dressed to follow; but by some means lost 
track of him, and wended my way to the foot of Commer- 
cial St., Wharf. The day was breaking. The brig Ves- 
per of Sedgewick, Me., was lying in the dock. While I 
was leaning against the post to which she was tied, look- 
ing at the vessel, the mate came forward to the fore- 
castle.” “All hands ahoy! ’’Captain Hopkins, says, “turn 
out, we will get under way. One of the sailors replied, 
“One of the men and cook left last night.” “Did they 
take their clothes?” “Yes sir: and said they were going 
to ship on a vessel bound for the West Indies.” The 
mate walked aft, calling to the Captain below, “One man 
and the cook are missing.” In a few minutes the Cap- 
tain came on deck and said that beats h , here is a 

fair wind and tide, and we’ve got to wait to find two men. 
I addressed the Captain, saying, “I will go as cook, if 
you like.” “Where are your clothes?” He asked. I replied 
1 havent any; I was in the schooner Neptune when she 
went ashore.” “Come on board, we will try to make 
out with you.” I bargained with him for twelve dollars 
per month. He said “Mate, you go up with this boy to 
the first Jew’s store and get him a shirt and pair of pants,” 
We scon returned. We then cast the vessel off, and 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


29. 


started down Boston Harbor. The wind was N. W. ac- 
companied by heavy snow squalls, which lasted all day. 
The weather moderated, in the evening, we went into 
Penobscot Bay and anchored. The next morning we 
weighed anchor and went up the river to Sedgewick. 

The vessel being infested by rats, the Captain laid off 
all the crew except the mate, Mr Murry and myself. We 
set about to smoke the vessel, rid her of the vermin. 
Then we painted her , and in ten days we had her ready for sea 
The crew, being notified, came on board, and we sailed for 
East Port or (Lebeck) for plaster of Paris with which we 
loaded for New York, and arrived there after a passage of 
ten days. We were ordered to Sing Sing, and there dis- 
charged our cargo. Ariving in New York the vessel was 
chartered for Appalachicola, Florida. I told the Captain I 
did not like to go out there at that season of the year; 
and asked him for my discharge. Which he gave me 
and paid me off. It being just a week before Christ- 
mas 1836. I thought I would take a rest during the hol- 
idays. I found a Sailor’s boarding house on Water Street 
where staying about a week; my money became nearly 
exhausted; and I was forced to go to sea again. I shipped the 
day before Christmas in a little bark named William M. 
Francis of Philadelphia, Captan Lander, (a Frenchman by 
birth) bound for Leghorn Italy. The shipping master 
shipped me as“ordinarily seaman: ”(so that he could get 
more “advance”) a position I knew but little about, as I 
had always gone as cook. On the third of January 1837 


30 SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

the crew were sent on board, and the vessel soon prepared 
for the Meditarranean Sea. Things went well until my 
watch on deck, where I was called aft, to take the wheel. 
The mate noticing the vessel taking a zig-zag course, 
said to me, “Can’t you steer? “No sir,” I never steered 
a vessel in my life.” “You will have time to learn be- 
fore we get to Leghorn.” Do you know anything about 
the compass?” “No sir, I have gone as cook until now.” 
A few da3~s out we encountered very rough weather, and 
were forced to heave the vessel to for several days. After 
a passage of forty-two days we arrived in Leghorn. We 
entered the vessel on Friday at the custom-house, and on 
Sunday the crew — except another boy and myself — went 
ashore. Mr. Runigan, the mate, informed us that we 
would not be allowed to leave the vessel until we had 
learned to box the compass. One of the sailors drew us 
a diagram, and we commenced to study. It was a week 
before we perfectly knew it and the next Sunday we were 
allowed to go on shore. Monday morning we commen- 
ced unloading our cargo which was Sarsaparilla root. 

There were no wharves at Leghorn, and w 7 e were com- 
pelled to lighter our cargo to and from the vessel. Leg- 
horn is a very fine city. What attracted m) r attention most 
was its numerous fountains. They were of very beautiful 
designs, made from the finest marble. There was one 
more exquisite than all the rest which stood in one of the 
large squares. It represented two brothers who were pi- 
rates, and were said to have been executed. Leghorn is 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME- 31. 

also noted for its straw hats manufactured there, which 
take their name from the place. I was only on shore 
twice. 

Our cargo home was undressed marble. In thirty 
five days our vessel was loaded, and w r e again put to sea. 
We had very pleasant weather until we came to the Gulf- 
Stream, where we took a heavy gale, lasting forty-eight 
hours. The wind abated, I was ordered to the foresail. 
It being jammed between the collar of the fore stay and 
the fore yard, I was some time in getting it clear. The 
mate all the while swearing and threatening to come up 
and throw me off the yard; I became a little nervous (for 
I was afraid of the mate ) The vessel making a heavy 
lurch threw me from the yard. So sail and I came down 
on deck together. I fell on the Samson post; and but 
for a bed lying on it to dry, should most likely have been 
badly smashed, if not killed. By the fall my collar bone 
was broken. I was taken to the cabin where the Captain 
endeavored to set it. I did not do any work during the 
remainder of the trip. Eight days after my accident, the 
vessel arrived in New York. The Captain gave me my 
wages, and had me taken to the city hospital. The ends 
of the bone not being brought into apposition, did 
not properly unite; and the surgeon after breaking up the 
adhesions that had already formed, reset it. I remained 
in the hospital thirteen weeks. I was then discharged 
and went to board in Rosevelt St., No. 20. After remain- 
ing at my boarding house two weeks, I shipped as cook 


32. SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

on a sloop trading on the Hudson River. I made only 
one trip in her. Remaining two more weeks in the city, 
my money being exhausted, I was obliged to go to sea 
again. My boarding house keeper procured me a berth 
on board a Sweedish brig named the “Ann,” Captain 
Blistrum, bound to the Spanish Main. There were but two 
men aboard besides myself (the captain and one of the 
sailors who could speak English; (and little at that.) 
They did not live as clean on this vessel; nor was the 
eating as palatable as that to which I had been accus- 
tomed. However, I did not make any outward demon- 
stration of disapproval: as I knew it would not make mat- 
ters better; possibly, worse. After leaving New 
York we had clear weather and fair wind. We soon 
crossed the Gulf Stream and took the North East Trade 
Winds. We occupied our leisure moments in catching 
fish, principally dolphin; which, by the way; are very 
lucious food. Nothing remarkable occured on the pas- 
sage. After twenty days we arrived at Pilot Island, at 
the mouth of the Orinoco River, Venezula, S. A. There 
we took a pilot for the city of Aguostura, four hundred 
and forty miles from its mouth. The wind in this lat- 
itude blows in one direction; from the North East. The 
water, like the Mississippi, always runs toward the sea. 
This river drains a large section of country, which ac- 
counts for the water always being on the ebb. The river is 
in no place more than a mile wide. Both banks were 
covered with dense forests; which extend on either side 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 33- 

four hundred miles from its mouth. Nothing inhabited 
this forest except Crocodiles, Alligators, Monkeys, 
Birds, and Wild Beasts. 

Reaching a place called Fort Vienna, we came to a 
very beautiful country, cattle ranches and sheep were on 
the right side, orange groves, coffee and fruit plantations, 
vineyards and large cotton fields occupied the left side of 
the river. Having the tide against us ail the way, being, 
able to move only with the wind; and having to tie to 
trees when it died out, our progress was necessarily slow 
and we were thirty-five days sailing up to Angostura. 
The country that I saw seemed fertile. The inhabitants 
are of Spanish decent, speak the Spanish language; and 
seemed to be a very sociable people. The climate is mild 
and considered healthful. The city of Angostura is 
situated on the banks of the river, and had a population 
of twenty thousand. They are very strenuous in their laws 
as we had occasion to know personally before we left. 
We unloaded the vessel of ballast, and began to take in 
our cargo, (dry hides, tallow and cotton) for home. 

The first Sunday we were there the Captain gave 
each of us sailors five dollars; and said we might go 
ashore; with the admonition, “Be careful and not get into 
any trouble.” We then went ashore for recreation. We 
were not long in finding a hotel — the only public house 
in the city where they spoke English. The proprietor 
was an Irishman by the name of Paddy Welch. We 
were not long in getting acquainted with Paddy. We 


34 - 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


remained there until ten o’clock at night; drinking, talk- 
ing, and having as we called it, “A good time.” It being 
late, we concluded it was time to go on board. “Before you 
go,” said Paddy “there yet remains a bottle of brandy 
unpaid for.” I replied, “I did not remember owing him 
anything.” An altercation followed, and one of the 
sailors more daring than the rest, struck Paddy knock- 
ing him down. A general fight ensued, in which nearly 
all present took a hand. We were too strong for Paddy’s 
friends, and soon caused them all to retreat. We tore 
out the counters in the bar, broke bottles and glasses, and 
turned things topsy-turvy. The police were called, and 
two of us were arrested, four making good their escape 
to the ship. We were put in a wagon, and carried to the 
prison. In the morning the Captain came ashore and 
endeavored to get us released; but the authorities informed 
him they would keep us confined until the brig was ready 
for sea. We should have fared badlv as far as eating was 
concerned, had it not have been that the Captains of the 
brigs Orinoco and Casson,both of Baltimore, were in prison 
for firing salutes on the Fourth of July without permission 
from the authorities. They were fed by the stewards from 
their vessels, and gave us what they did not want. 

The first man I ever saw executed was in this prison 
for the murder of his father and mother. The day appointed 
he was led around the prison yard, placed on his coffin 
and shot. After twenty long days the brig was loaded. 
The Captain informed the authorities. And after paying a 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


35 - 


fine of twenty dollars each, we were released and went on 
board. Glad we were to place our feet once more upon 
the brig “Ann’s* ‘ deck. We immediately got the vessel 
under way and in seven days, arrived at the mouth of that 
long river. Discharging our pilot we put to sea, bound 
for Halmstead, Sweden. We had very good weather, and 
in fifty-five days arrived off the Isle of Wight in the Eng- 
lish Channel, where we put in for supplies. We made 
the passage from there to Halmstead in eight days; 
taking in all fifty-six days. 

We were some time unloading the vessel. Whenever 
opportunity offered I endeavored to learn something of 
the language; and succeeded in mastering enough to serve 
my purpose in a meager way. I found the people with 
whom I associated, to be very clever and as it seems, be- 
cause I was an American and a stranger, they gave me 
marked attention. The vessel being again ready for sea, 
the Captain said, “You shipped with me for twelve dol- 
lars a month; in this country we only pay five. I would 
like to have you go, but can not pay you more than the 
rest.” I replied, “Well Captain, if that is the case, then 
that is all I shall expect. “ So I signed articles; for the trip 
The vessel was bound for Brest, France. Coming down 
the North Sea, we encountered a heavy gale which car- 
ried away our fore and main topsail, and foresail. We 
hailed a passing steamer, and were towed into Ramsgate, 
England, to get new sails. When we arrived there, I 
said to the Captain, “You will be here some time. I would 


3^ 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


like You to give me my discharge.” “I would like you 
to remain,” said the Captain; “but if you so desire, I will 
give you your papers.” 

The following morning I took passage on the steamer 
Water Tilly. for London. My first arrival in London was 
on Queen Victoria’s Coronation day. It was the greatest 
demonstration I evea saw, or possibly will ever see again. 
I had scarcely landed, before the ever watchfull boarding 
house runner was at my heels. “Do you want to be tak- 
en to a boarding house,” inquired he, I answered, “Yes 
sir.” “Well, I am a runner for Paddy Mooren who keeps 
a respectable house. I will assure you it is all right” so 
throwing my baggage into a wagon we rode off. His house 
was in a street called “Vinegar Lane.” And a common 
boarding house it was. I was made acquainted with the 
proprietor and the rest of the boarders. Being a perfect 
stranger, the place did not impress me very favorably; 
yet they treated me so kindly I decided to remain. Lon- 
don the great metropolis of the world — with its millions 
of human beings — its dingy streets and smoky atmosphere 
did not reach my expectations. Of all places where the 
pomp of wealth and the humiliation of poverty are 
brought in contrast, London no doubt excells them all. 
There are of course many nice streets with their fine and 
imposing buildings; but that portion of the city called 
“Old London,” did not present a very favorable aspect. 
A great many of the houses were built of wood, the streets, 
narrow, and far from being clean. I stayed in London 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 37- 

two weeks, and before I left knew most of the principal 
streets, and many others which until recently remained 
comparatively obscure. White Chapel Lane, Drury 
Lane and others of no less repute soon became places of 
favorite resort. These lanes and by ways, like many of 
the principal thoroughfares, were well supplied with sa- 
loons, “King William, M “Paddy’s Goose,” “Jolly Sai- 
lors,” “True Blue &c” were the elaborate and suggestive 
signs that stood conspicuious, and most effectually attrac- 
ted the sailor’s eye. Many a tale I could tell of midnight 
revels. When the brain was fired by the sparkling wine; 
when glass after glass was quaffed, and fell from hands 
that could no longer convey it to their lips; until their 
parching throats grew hoarse; and with flushed face and 
fiery eyes the revellers looked more like deemons than like 
men. To recall many of the incidents which transpired 
in those places while I was there, which were forcibly 
impressed on my memory (and some on my body) causes 
me to this day — to shudder. It is best to let them re- 
main untold. 

My principal amusement while in London was attend- 
ing theatres of which I grew very fond. At my rate of 
living, I soon became embarrassed financially, and knew 
that London was no place for me without money. 

In a few days I succeeded in getting a berth on a 
brig named Lady Alice, of White Haven, England; sailed 
by Captain Thomas Fell. She was bound to Tobago, 
one of the West India Islands, for a cargo of Molasses. 


38. SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

* 

I shipped for two pounds five-shillings a month, with one 
month in advance. The next day after signing articles 
we worked down the river Thames. The weather being 
unfavorable, we anchored two days. The wind coming 
fair again, we stood down the English Channel; and in a 
few days the vessel was on her course for Tobago. Hav- 
ing a good crew, and a first class vessel things went well. 
The wind being light, we made slow progress until we 
struck the trade winds. Our time was mostly employed 
in fishing for dolphin and flying-fish; which were very 
plentiful. Our cargo out was 75,000 bricks. The Cap- 
tain owned the vessel and cargo, also two large planta- 
tions on the island. On the forty-sixth day out we ar- 
rived at our destination. There were no wharves on the 
island and we were compelled to carry our cargo to land 
in what were. called Moses boats; a very tedious process 
these boats carrying only from one to two hogsheads; yet 
we were not hurried, as the cane was growing in the fields 
when we arrived. We anchored the vessel to the leeward 
of the island which, since the wind blows in but one di- 
rection affords a perfect harbor in case of storm. We 
were nearly a month unloading. Our cargo not yet be- 
ing ready, we were set to work refitting ship; this con- 
sumed another month. 

Finally, we began to load. The molasses was in 
large hogsheads; these were rolled aboard the boats and 
rowed off to the vessel, where they were hoisted aboard 
and stowed away in the hold. This was very tedious 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME* 39* 

work, and at this rate we were a month in loading, mak- 
ing our stay in all, at the island, three months. From 
there we sailed for London; and on the thirty-sixth day 
out we sighted Land’s End. The wind being ahead we 
beat the vessel all the way up the English Channel. 
Making a harbor at a place called the Downs, we anchored 
and waited for fair wind. The next day the wind shifting 
we steered our course for the Nower Light Boat at the 
mouth of the Thames. From there we had a fair wind 
for London. We hauled in at the higher West India Dock 
and after furling her sails and “cleaning up” the vessel 
we were called aft. “Sailors, “said the Captain, “I am now 
done with you. A better crew of men I never had. I 
will give you as good a discharge as I can write. Here 
is your money; take care of it and do not spend it foolish- 
ly.” 

As usual the boarding house runner was soon on 
board, taking our baggage and bedding, we arrived again 
at Paddy Mooren’s in Vinegar Lane. They seemed very 
much pleased to see me. So I had once in my life a 
home in London. We sailors all went but and each of 
us bought a suit of clothes. Having as I though L plenty 
of money, I enjoyed myself in seeing again the sights of 
London. The theatres were the centre of my attraction. 
In two weeks my money was gone again. I requested 
my boarding master to procure me another berth. “Where 
would you like to go?” asked he, “Oh! I don't care 
where, ’ ’ I replied. He continued, ‘ ‘ I was at the shipping 


40. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


office to-day and they want a crew of six for the brig 
Joseph Hume, she is bound for Cronstadt, Russia, from 
there to Dantzic, Prussia; and they want her crew to-mor- 
row. The wages are three pounds and ten shillings per 
month, and in addition one small cask of beer a w r eek. 
You are to furnish your own small stores such as coffee, 
sugar, tea, etc. You will be allowed three drinks of 
liquor a day while at sea, and four while in port." The 
next morning we went on board and signed articles on 
those terms, also that we would return in her provided 
she chartered for any port in England. We sent our 
clothes and bedding aboard and the next day sailed for 
the Baltic Sea. Ten days out the beer in our cask also 
was out. Our three drinks of liquor a day also was slop- 
ed. One morning we sailors held a conference and con- 
cluded to extort from the Captain the cause of the dis- 
continuance of our accustomed luxury. At the time ap- 
pointed to carry out our resolutions it was my trick at 
the wheel. Coming aft, the sailors said to the mate, “We 
would like to see the Captain. ’’ He soon came on deck; 
“What do you all want, here aft?" asked the Captain. 
One of the sailors replied, “We want our rights, and we 
intend to have them." “What are your rights,’' growled 
the Captain. “You know 7 very well what our rights are" 
retorted the sailors. There being six of the sailors, they 
made a rush for the Captain, First and Second Mate; who, 
being out numbered w r ere soon subdued. During the 
fight the Captain and First Mate were badly w 7 ounded. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME- 


41. 


The officers were soon secured, carried into the cabin and 
nailed in. I being at the wheel at the time, did not 
have anything to do with the fight. The sailors ransack- 
ed the cabin; found a demijohn of whiskey and carried it 
forward to the forecastle. I was soon invited to partici- 
pate. “No; I can not leave the wheel now,” I replied, 
“Let the vessel go,” replied they. There being little or 
no wind at the time, I w 7 ent forward, took a drink, and 
returned to the wheel. The invitation was soon repeat- 
ed. I made the remark to the sailors, “ We are going to 
get ourselves into trouble. “Oh! let the vessel go 
they replied. We all by this time, were getting our- 
pretty merry; and at last got into an argument among 
selves which terminated in a fight. The officers by 
some means getting out of the cabin, came forward, pulled 
the companion slide over the forecastle and nailed it, 
hauled all the chains on, and had us securely imprisoned 
below. The vessel w 7 as then in the Gulf of Finland, 
about seventy miles from the city of Cronstadt. The officers 
hoisted a flag of distress; and it was not long before a 
vessel hove in sight, w 7 hich proved to be a Russian Corvette. 
We could plainly hear them hail our vessel. They im- 
mediately sent a detachment of armed marines on board 
and inquired the cause of distress. The Captain inform- 
ed the Lieutenant that hiserew T had mutinied. “Where 
are they?” inquired he. “We have them fastened down 
in the forecastle. ” Going forward they removed the 
chains, withdrew 7 the nails, pulled back the slide, and 


42. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


ordered us to come on deck. We refused, “Come out 
you rascals,' demanded the Lieutenant, “or I will shoot. 
We then came on deck with the exception of two, who 
were so drunk that they w r ere brought up by the Russian 
Marines;we were taken on board the Russian Man-of-War, 
and placed in irons. Tw r elve men were detailed from the 
Russian vessel to work the brig into Cronstadt. This 
was about seven o’clock Saturday evening. We arrived 
Sunday morning, were taken from the ship and placed in 
prison. Monday morning we were taken before the 
English Consul, tried for mutiny, convicted, placed back 
in prison and ordered to be kept at hard labor until the 
brig was ready for sea. Early Tuesday morning, we 
were put to work, two with brooms, two with shovels, and 
tw T o with a hand cart. We commenced work at six in 
the morning, and continued until six in the evening, with 
but one hour at noon to rest. Our diet consisted of 
black rye bread with a little salt. For dinner in addi- 
tion to this, a little thin soup. We were guarded by two 
officers, our liberties being very limited;not even allowed 
to speak to one another during working hours. Sixty 
long days did we w r ork; and in that time I think we 
cleaned nearly every street in Cronstadt. The brig being 
ready to sail we were taken from prison and sent on 
board. I did not feel in a very good humor toward the 
captain; however, I said nothing, contenting myself to 
wait for a favorable opportunity to discomfit him. Two 
of us asked the captain for money, pretending to be 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


43- 


in need of certain articles. While on shore we met the 
chief-mate of the ship “Good Return "of New Bedford, 
Mass. He persuaded us without much coaxing to desert 
the brig and go with him as they were in need of two 
men. The vessel was lying at anchor loaded with linseed 
bound for New York; and was to sail the next day. 
The custom house officers inspected the ship early the 
following morning, and we set sail. We had a pleas- 
ant passage down the Baltic Sea. We reached Elsinore, 
Denmark, and anchored. Here we bent new sails; set up 
the rigging making everything secure (as is the custom 
of all American vessels) before attempting to cross the 
Atlantic in winter. We had very good weather until on 
the southern edge of the banks of New Foundland. 
We then encountered a storm. All sails being shortened 
to three close reefed topsails — head reaching; we endeav- 
ored to ride it out. It continued to blow from the N. E. 
a gale all day until eight in the evening, The starboard 
watch then went below. At one bell a heavy squall 
struck the ship; she broached to: the sea swept her deck 
from stem to stern, careened her over; carried away the 
the browsprit short by the bow, her foremast about twen- 
ty-five feet above deck; her entire mainmast about four 
feet above, and broke the mizzenmast off just below the 
trestle-trees. It happened to be my watch below. Being 
startled by the noise and by the careening of the ship, I 
rushed for the companion way. Her decks were strewn 
with wreckage. It being very dark, and the wind blowing 


44 - 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

so hard, it was a longtime and with much difficulty that 
we succeeded one by one in making our way aft. Of the 
eight men who composed the watch at the time, the 
only one beside the second officer who was left, was the 
man at the wheel who was jambed between the tiller and 
block to leeward. We who remained lashed ourselves in 
the mizzen rigging that laid across the deck and longing- 
ly watched for morning. By the vivid flashes of light- 
ning we could plainly see our situation. All our boats 
were gone; the galley was washed away with all our cook- 
ing utensils. The forward bulwarks were stove in, and 
to add to our distress, the shifting boards gave away in 
the lower hold, causing the cargo to shift and the ship to 
fall partly over on her beam ends. Fortunately, there 
was not much sea; the wind blew so hard that it lashed 
the water into a foam of flying spray which completely 
enveloped the vessel. At two o’clock it began to moder- 
ate at five we could have carried the top gallant sail, and 
at seven we could have carried all plain sail. Fortunately 
we had left plenty of provisions and water. After getting 
something to eat, we were summoned aft; a consultation 
held to decide what was best to do. We concluded to cut 
away the rigging and free the ship of wreckage. After 
doing this, in order to straighten the vessel; we removed 
the booby-hatch and began to throw overboard the cargo 
between decks. When we reached the lower hold we 
filled the bags we had left, with the linseed; stowed them 
to windward, securely replaced the shifting boards, and by 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


45 - 


this means partly righted the ship. We worked five days 
and nights at this, until all were nearly exhausted. The 
I vessel being “by the head,” we threw overboard both 
anchors and chains. We then set about to rig some sail. 
We made a jury mast fast to the stump of the mainmast 
still standing, attached a block and falls; and put on a 
square sail as a jury sail. Also rigged a square sail and 
stay-sail on the stump of the mizzen mast, and a stay-sail 
and square sail on the foremast. We steered her due 
south, hoping to fall in with some vessel. Her speed was 
about one mile and a half per hour. We then rigged an- 
other jury-sail on the mizzenmast. Having good wind 
and clear weather, we made three miles an hour. On 
the ninth day, we hailed a steamer which proved to be 
the Gorgan from Falmouth, England, bound to Lisbon, 
Portugal. She bore down in speaking distance. What 
ship is this?“asked the captain of the steamer” We replied; 
“The Good Return from Cronstadt bound for N.Y.” Do 
you want any assistance asked the captain? “ Yes Sir. ”“Do 
you wantto bet aken off? ” “No Sir. ' ’ What will you charge 
to tow my vessel into Lisbon?” “One half of the ship and 
cargo, ”was the reply. The captain came on board, articles 
to that effect were drawn up and signed. Two new 
hawsers were made fast to the steamer; and after five days 
we arrived at Lisbon, on Christmas eve morning. When 
. we reached Belham Castle, at the mouth of the river, the 
walking beam of the steamer broke, and a small Portu- 
guese steamer took us up. We moved our vessel along 


4 6 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


side a ship, and anchored in theharbor. The Captain went 
on shore and communicated with the U. S. Consul. A 
protest was drawn, and signed by the remainder of the 
crew. We were then discharged, and placed in the care 
of the American Consul. 









CUU'Ipff^ 


^ ; .3K 


. ' 






• ► > vV ■ ■ ' * 


■ 


■f ..'■<> 


mm 

Ml 


<?»•:*< 


rr-g . Tr . Trg i a , n?iifi i t . ni »i ft i » ; 


49 - 


SEVENTEEN YEARS 


FROM 


HOME. 


CHAPTER HI. 

WAR between CHIEI AND PERU. 

I remained in Lisbon three months. I was not very 
forcibly impressed with the city; and was ready to accept 
the first chance to get away (or at least the boarding 
house man, was always on the alert to get his patrons 
positions about the time he thought their money was 
exhausted)this being the case as usual with me, a berth 
was procured on board the ship Majestic, of Liv~ 
erpool • She had been towed in from sea having been 
found disbanded; dismasted and water-logged. She was 
a new ship and was making her first trip from Quebec 
to Liverpool where she belonged. 

It was estimated that she cost about seventeen hundred 
pounds. Her owners had sent over from Liverpool a 
captain, mate, second mate and boatswain, with complete 
chains etc. and I was employed to help clean ship, take 
out cargo, and right her. 

When ready for sea, I shipped as seaman. She was 
bound to Mobile, U. S. A., where we arrived without 
special event. After waiting there thirty five days and 
failing on account of the lowness of cotton freights to get 




50. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


a cargo, we sailed for Quebec, Canada. She carried a 
crew of twenty two men. After twenty five days of 
fine weather, we arrived at the St. Lawrence River. 

There the seventeen Portuguese of the crew, made 
complaint, that they were short of provisions. They did 
not use butter, but sweet oil instead. This being ex- 
hausted, and they thinking there was a supply of butter in 
the cabin, came aft, and made known their wants to the 
officers. The Captain informed them that there was but 
one pound on board and offered it to them. Not believ- 
ing him, they made a rush with a view of searching by 
force, the cabin. The chief mate, seizing a gun tookjaim 
at their leader, fired, and he fell dead upon the deck. I 
took sides with the officers. A general fight ensued. 
The Captain had his right arm broken, and the rest of the 
officers with myself were badly bruised. The air was fog- 
gy;but a Revenue Cutter being not for distant, heard the. 
sounds of the fight, ran alongside of, and boarded us. The 
rebels on seeing them with arms, promptly surrendered, 
were taken aboard the cutter and put in irons. The 
Cutter detailed eight of her men, by whose aid we sailed the 
vessel to Quebec. A trial was held; the officers exonerated 
and the dead Portuguese was carried on shore and buried. 
The remainder of the crew were sent over to England; 
where, except the cabin boy, who was sent home to his 
parents in Lisbon, they were sentenced to fifteen years 
transportation. Having had this trouble on board, 1 
left her and procured a berth at seven pound ten, a month 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


5 I 


in a new ship named Reliance, bound for Liverpool. After 
leaving the St. Lawrence River, the Captain suggested 
that since his vessel was new, the rigging not in a seaman's 
notions of order, that we refit her; he agreeing to give us 
three glasses extra of grog a day, to this, we all agreed. 
After a passage of fifty nine days, we arrived in Liverpool. 
1 was paid off;and went to board in Denison St. 

After ten days, I shipped in a small brig of three 
hundred tons burden named the “Canier" for Valparaiso, 
Chili. We sailed on the eleventh day of September, 1837 
Arriving off the Falkland Islands, we encountered head 
wind, and put back; thinking we would go through the 
straits of Magellan, instead of going around Cape Horn. 
The wind coming ahead, after entering the .strait, we 
anchored; increasing to a gale; our vessel parted one of 
her chains; forcing us to go to sea. Moderating, we ran 
up to the Cape in about five days. Having to sail wide 
enough to escape the Ramalese Shoals, and delayed by 
continuous gales, it took us fifteen days to round the Cape, 
and shape our course for our destination. Being poorly 
and shabby clad from having wasted my money, my 
feet during this time became severely frost bitten. And 
on arrival at Valparaiso, after one hundred and eleven 
days out from Liverpool, I had to go to the hospital. 

The brig was loaded and sailed before I recovered. 
Being out of employments was now in need of money. 
The American man-of-war, Falmouth was in the harbor. 
I thought I would like to enlist in the U. S. Navy. I 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 




went on board and inquired if they were in need of men. 
“Yes?" said the Captain; “do you want to ship?’ 'Answer- 
ing“Yes"I was then conducted belowjstripped, examined, 
pronounced sound, and enlisted for three years;or subject 
at any time to discharge. I remained on her ten months. 
War at that time existed between Chili and Peru; the 
Chilian government was offering a bounty of seventy 
dollars to volunteers. 

One day, another sailor named Blackburn and myself 
while on liberty hearing of this, deserted, and enlisted in 
the Chilian service. We were sent to- Talcahuana. a 
small sea port town, a few miles below Valparaiso, where 
the Chilian frigate, Chili was waiting for recruits. We 
had not been on board many days, before she, with the 
fleet sailed in the direction of Peru. Their navy at that 
time consisted cf five vessels, the Peruvian about the 
same number. The Chilian Frigate on which Blackburn 
and m vself enlisted was bought of the French govern- 
ment, and was a 64 gun ship; carrying a crew of six hun 
dred and forty men. We were ordered with the other 
four vessels to appear off Callao, Peru, and bombard the 
city. Near the entrance of the harbor was a large forti- 
fication called Callao Castle. For two weeks at different 
times, we bombarded that place without any apparent suc- 
cess. It w as reported that the Archelius, a Peruvian 
frigate of 44 guns, was lying off Chilrelus a small sea 
port town a few miles distant from Callao. Ourship be- 
ing detailed to cruise for the Peruvian frigate, 


w r e 1111- 


53 - 


SEVENTEEN YKARS FROM HOME. 

mediately (on the evening of the 4 of July 1838) got un- 
derway, and stood out from the harbor. On the 5th, a 
sail hove in sight and supposing it to be the Archelius we 
at once beat to quarters, cleared the ship for action and 
double shotted our guns. As we neared, her identity 
could not be mistaken. The wind was light, and it was 
some time before we came within range. When about 
three miles distant, we exchanged several shots from the 
bow guns, which falling short, did 110 execution. The 
wind breezing up, we bore down within a half-mile of each 
other. Endeavoring to get the advantage in position 
over our antagonist, we worked our ship to windward; 
and every man stood ready at his post. It was a beauti- 
ful day; the wind was light, and but little sea. A death — 
like silence pervaded the whole ship. The orders from 
the officers were the only sounds that broke the silence. 
And the thoughts of every man could almost be depicted 
on his countenance. My post was at one of the guns on 
the upper deck. I was also detailed as one of the first di- 
visions of boarders. When within range of our enemy 
orders were given to fire by divisions. Coming in close 
quarters, volly, after volly, was fired in quick succession, 
until the smoke became so intense as to obscure both ves- 
sels. We discontinued firing until the smoke had 
cleared away; this we were obliged to do twice. During 
the second cessation, she fell off, presenting her stern^ to 
our broadside; which perceiving, we gave her a raking 
fire. This did considerable damage, cutting away her 


54 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


mizzenmast, dismounting four of her guns; killing and 
wounding a number of her men; and causing a great 
confusion. Running alongside our Captain asked if they 
had surrendered. “No!" Was the answer. Our grap- 
pling irons were immediately hooked into the rigging; 
and we endeavored to bring the two ships together. 
They succeeded in cutting them; and the vessels became 
farther separated. Ticking our ship we bore down again 
with the intention of boarding her. Our enemy being 
disabled, we soon succeeded in running along-side, hook- 
ed our grappling irons again in her rigging, and fastened 
the vessels to gether. The first, fourth, and fifth divis- 
ions of boarders, armed with boarding pistols, and cut- 
lasses were called away; and we ascended her rails. We 
were met on her deck by two hundred of the enemy's ma- 
rines. In the beginning of the fight on deck, I received 
a thrust from a boarding pike; and falling backward be- 
tween one of the cannons on the enemies deck broke my 
right leg. Numbers were falling dead around me, three 
fell upon me where I lay prostrate. The position in which 
I fell was a fortunate one for me; for had I been exposed 
no doubt I should have been trampled to deatli by our 
own men as they leaped from our ship to the enemy 's 
deck. I could not say how long the hand to hand combat 
lasted; probably not more than ten minutes; but it seemed 
a lopg time to me. The battle lasted about two hours 
and forty minutes. It was one of the fiercest fights I ever 
witnessed; sabre clashed against sabre, musketry from 


55 * 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

the tops poured down their deadly fire upon combatants; 
the shrill orders from the commanders, the shrieks and 
moans from the wounded and dying, commingled to make 
a tumult indescribable. 

Burns, the Peruvian Commander being killed, they 
surrendered. Our loss was thirty six killed, and forty 
wounded. The exact loss of the enemy I did not learn, 
but it was considerably more than ours. Captain Burns, 
their commander, was an American, who being discharged 
from the Fairfield Sloop of War for some offence, enlisted 
in the Peruvian service. Both vessels sailed to Valp- 
araiso. I, being among the wounded, was taken to the 
hospital, where I remained three months. In the meantime 
peace was declared between the two nations, and the 
Chilian frigate returning to Valparaiso, I again went on 
board and resumed my duties. I had been ten months 
in the Chilian service, and during the time, being in the 
starboard watch I was one of the first to go ashore. We 
were given forty five dollars each in part payment and allow 
ed forty eight hours liberty. That same evening the Fal- 
mouth sloop of war anchored in the harbor. Although I 
had deserted her ten months previous, and knowing the 
penalty might be death, to return, yet I concluded to 
hazard it, as I was tired of Chilian service; and was desir- 
ous of returning to the United States. This was the only 
vessel in the port bound north, and I made my mind up 
that the next morning when the Captain of the sloop came 
on shore (which he did almost every day about nine) I 


56 . 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 




would go down to the Mole and ‘‘give myself up.'’ The 
next morning I was there ready when he landed, Ap- 
proaching; I thus addressed him. “Captain McKeever, I 
am the man who deserted your ship ten months ago. "He 
replied, “What is your name? “Wm. Perrigen sir:’' “Oh! 
Yes , I remember ; there w T as another man who deserted about 
the same time, was there not? ’ “Yes, Sir.” “and what was 
his name?" “Caleb R. Blackburn Sir:” “Where is he?” 
“On board the Chilian frigate. “Addressing. the coxswain 


he said, “Take this man on board and tell Mr'L,yon,sthe 
first lieutenant, to put him in double irons. “Accordingly, 
it was done. About one o ‘clock the captain came on 
board ;the officer of the deck was called, who ordered the 
master at arms to unloose my feet, and conduct me to 
the quarter deck. “Did you know,” asked the Captain, 
“what the penalty w r as for deserting” “Yes, Sir:” Have 
you not heard the articles of v r ar read on the first Sunday 
of every month?” “Yes Sir.” “And did you not know 
that deserting was punished by death ” “Yes, Sir.” “And 
why did you violate the laws?” “I was drunk, Sir." 
“There is no excuse for drunkeness on this ship.” “Did 
you say that Blackburn was on the Chilian Frigate?” 
“Yes, Sir.” He ordered the first lieutenant to call away 
the boat, and have her manned. “Tell Mr.Keath, the 
second lieutenant, to go on board the Chilian Frigate and 
demand Caleb R. Blackburn. ” They immeadiatlv set off, 
but returned without him. The Captain then went on 
board himself. “Is Caleb R. Blackburn on board this 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 57- 

vessel?" he asked of the commanding officer, “If he is, I 
want him and without any trouble." “Is he one of your 

0 

men?" “He is;" “Then of course you can have him." 
Blackburn was called, paid his wages, returned to the Fal- 
mouth, and placed like myself in double irons. The next 
morning after quarters for inspection, we were brought 
on deck by the master at arms. The officers were dressed 
in full uniform. The marines were placed in file with 
fixed bayonets, and all were called to witness punishment. 
My irons were removed and I was led to the gangway, 
The articles of war were then read. The Captain said. 
“You ought to have been tried by a court martial ;but as 
the ship is to soon return home, I will not prefer 
charges, but will punish you at my own discretion." 
Have you anything to say? “No, Sir" The master at arms 
was ordered to remove my shirt. My feet were then 
made fast to the gratings on deck, and my hands were 
tied above my head. The Capt. said to the boatswain 
mate. “Mate give him one dozen lashes with the cat 
o’ nine tails; and do your duty sir." My shirt which was 
thrown loosely over my shoulders was removed and I 
received my punishment on the bare-back. I was then 
unloosed; put on my clothes, and bid, “Go to your duty." 
Blackburn was served in the same manner. I expected my 
ship mate to be angry with me for informing on him; but 
like myself, punishment was no dread to him: forthesakeof 
getting away; as our allowances on the Chilian Frigate 
were very poor, and half the time we did not receive 


58. SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

enough to eat. After our flogging, we were taken again 
into the confidence of our shipmates. Two weeks from 
this, orders came from Washington for the ship to return 
to the U.S.A. 

It had been the custom among us sailors(as it is w r ith 
all I suppose on war vessels) while in port when return- 
ing from liberty, to smuggle on board as much whiskey 
as we could conveniently conceal. This we often did by 
having small cans made to fit in the crowns of our hats 
containing from a half to a pint. These and various 
other contrivances being discovered by the officers, we 
resorted to skins and bladders either from the hog or sheep 
which were kept in supply by the saloon keepers, who 
were willing to act on our suggestions, and always ready 
to meet our requirements. Sometimes we rolled the skins 
filled with liquor in our neck handkerchiefs On this 
occasion while twenty-four of us were on liberty, each 
bought a skin holding a pint. The vessel was to sail 
that afternoon, and knowing that we would be examined 
when we returned, we thought of a novel scheme to 
smuggle our highly prized luxury on board. Listing the 
boat, we tied our skins filled with liquor on her “Jack- 
Stay” and drew them under her keel thinking we should 
have ample time to extricate them before the boat would * 
be hoisted to the davits, and the vessel would be gotten 
under way. Upon reaching the ship orders were imme- 
diately given to hoist the boat to the davits, which on 
being raised out of the water, exposed to view our twen- 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 59- 

ty-four skins all hanging in a row. The officer of the 
deck called to Capt. McKeeber, who immediately seeing 
the joke, could not refrain from smiling. “Lieutenant, “ 
said he, I think we had better bleed those fellows “where- 
upon at his order the master at arms punctured each, 
with the point of his knife: and their contents ran into 
the sea. We soon had the vessel under way, the band 
played “Home Sweet Home” which filled every heart 
with joy, (with the exception of those who lost their 
whiskey) and we sailed out of the harbor bound for New 
York. While rounding Cape Horn, we encountered very 
rough weather; and after a passage of thirty three days 
reached Rio Janeiro, Brazil, where we put in to resupply 
the ship. Sailing from there we arrived at the Brooklyn 
Navy Yard on the third of June 1839, having made the pass- 
age in 74 days. Orders came from Washington to strip 
ship, pay off crew, and lay her out of commission for 
repairs. On pay day I received five dollars with a blank 
discharge. 


6o. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


CHAPTER IV. 

VOYAGE TO CALCUTTA. 

Pr was rather humiliating to be discharged, so un- 
ceremoniously. But what affected me most was the mea- 
gre pay received. However, I accepted the condition phi- 
losophically, and endeavored to make the best of the 
situation; — congratulating myself that I had escaped 
under even these unfavorable conditions. I went to board 
at my accustomed place on Water Street. 

On the 3rd., of July a ship mate, Charles Leis- 
ter arid myself shipped on the brig Edward Vincent, 
loaded with granite, bound for Pensacola, Fla. She be- 
ing ready for sea, we sailed the following morning. We 
passed the Highlands, down through the bay, out by 
Sandy Plook, and soon left the land from sight. Eight 
o’clock at night I took the wheel, and remained there 
until ten; when I was relieved by my ship-mate. I then 
went forward, took a drink of whiskey out of my “bull” 
(as we sailors called a jug,) lit my pipe, and came on 
deck. While walking to and fro, a large sail hove in sight 
and I at once went aft and reported to the captain. He 
was slow in getting forward, having been drinking 41 Where 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 6 1 . 

is the sail?" asked he. I replied, “Right ahead and steer- 
ing directly for us!" He sat down and I remarked, 
“l don't know whether she is or not!" I watched the 
vessel with great anxiety; and soon discovered she was a 
large ship. Seeing her approach nearer and nearer with- 
out altering her course, I again went aft to the Captain. 
Coining forward and seeing our situation, he immediately 
shouted to the man at the wheel. “Put your helm hard a 
port, and keep her hard off!" By this time the vessels 
were very close. The Captain of the other ship gave 
orders “Put your wheel hard a starboard. ’ 'Our Captain 
supposing the orders were intended for him, immediately 
ordered the wheel hard down, bringing . both vessels 
head to head. A terrible crash followed. Our jibboom 
and our bowsprit went through the other ship’s bows, 
our foremast went by the board. The bow was stove in 
as far as the windlass. Our vessel being heavily laden 
instantly began to sink. The vessels after striking 
rebounded and sheered off. They threw us a rope. My 
ship mate and I immediately took hold and jumped over 
board. By the time we were hauled on deck our vessel 
was disappearing. Not a cry or a sound was heard. We 
had onboard as passengers, a man with wife, five children, 
and nurse, and a crew of seven men, two of whom were 
asleep in the forecastle, who no doubt were instantly 
crushed to death by the collision. The mate and cook 
were asleep in the cabin. The Captain, passengers, and 
none of the crew except my shipmate and myself, were 


62 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


ever heard or seen again. Coming forward, Captain 
Williams of the Garrick asked “Is there any one saved?” 
‘•Yes,” replied the mate “we have saved two.” “Thank 
God, that there are two saved! ”he replied. 

We lay to for about an hour, when a squall arising 
from the northward the Captain put his ship before the 
wind. The ship proved to be the Garrick of Ne .v York 
bound to Liverpool with seventy-five passengers on board. 
We were called aft; gave our names, also the name of our 
vessel to the Captain, and described the cause of the 
accident. “You men can live forward, ” said he, “with the 
sailors, and I will see that you are taken care of and 
provided for.” The ship sustained but little damage, 
having her flying jibboom knocked out, one of her yards 
broken, and a few trifling injuries about her bow. 

Seventeen days after the collision we sighted Cape 
Clear. The passengers then gave us a donation of one 
hundred dollars, with a supply of clothing. In three days 
from the Cape we arrived in Liverpool, and hauled the 
ship into Princes’ Dock Basin. We then went with the 
Captain before the American Consul and made a true 
statement of the accident. We were placed in care of 
the Consul who sent us to board at no . 20 Denison Street. 
We remained in that eity three weeks. 

I left Liverpool in the ship Minerva of Greenock, 
Scotland, loaded with general merchandise for Calcutta. 
I was to recieve two pounds five shillings per month 
which is equal in our money to about $11.50 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 63. 

After purchasing a supply of small stores for my- 
self, (consisting of five pounds of tobacco, and a dozen 
pipes) I went on board. Her crew numbered thirty-four 
and in addition we had as passengers thirty-one Lascars 
who had sailed an English vessel from Calcutta and were 
being returned home by our ship. We sailed on the 
27th., of August 1839. On our passage down the Irish 
channel our vessel sprang a leak, and we put back to 
Douglas on the Isle of Man. Removing a portion of the 
cargo, we lightened the ship, found the leak, caulked it, 
replaced the cargo, and put to sea again. Having seventeen 
days of fine weather, we fell in with the North-East Trade 
Winds, which lasted us to the Equator. Crossing the 
line one degree south, we met the South East Trade 
Winds, which ran us nearly to the Cape of Good Hope. 
While rounding the Cape, we encountered a heavy gale 
which lasted thirty six hours. During the storm one of 
the seamen, while mending the reef fell from the foretop- 
sail-yard overboard and was drowned. He had been serv 
ing an apprentice-ship for nearly seven years, as was the 
custom or law I believe in England, and was the only 
son of a widow. It was a fearful thing to see him waving 

his hands above his head in appeal; when it was impos- 
sible on account of the wind to bring the ship to. His 
time would soon have expired as an apprentice. He was 
well liked by the Captain and officers, and his loss they 
greatly deplored. 

It was again discovered that our vessel was leaking. 
Upon trying the pumps, we found she was making from 


64. 


•. I ' .1 ” 

SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

twelve to fourteen inches per hour; having an extra crew 
on board we managed by their aid to keep her afloat. 
The ship was supplied with four pumps, two worked by a 
windmill, the other two a weegee, worked by six men each. 
For several days and nights we incessantly worked, until 
tired, and discouraged, we told the Captain that he must 
either steer his vessel toward the nearest port, or we 
would take charge. We were then not far from Mauritius 
(or the Isle of France.) He endeavored to argue the 
case with us thus, “Now, ’’said he, “this is the monsoon 
month and my vessel is not insured, neither is the cargo. 
If we should run her ashore on the island ;she and the 
cargo possibly, will be a total loss. As it is, we are in the 
track of vessels. We have an extra crew, and can keep her 
afloat until we get to Calcutta. I will make you this 
proposition: you shall have all the whiskey you want, 
provided you do not get drunk. I will now pay you 
your money in advance; and make each of you a present 
of an months extra wages when we arrive at our destina- 
tion. We have five good boats; and if we find we can not 
keep the ship afloat, at any time we can leave her." 
Although realizing our situation, we sympathized with 
the Captain (for he was a man whom we all liked) and 
after debating the subject among ourselves, we at last 
concluded to accept his proposal and again went to 
quarters. The wind being light and the vessel a poor 
sailor at best, made otir passage long and tedious. Daily 
we were expecting a monsoon, or the change of the Trade 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


65- 


Winds, which are always accompanied by severe storms. 
“The change in the directions of the Trade Winds in 
this part of the world is caused by the successive heating 
of the land on either side of the Equator as the Sun 
passes from one Tropic to another. North of the Equator 
during the cooler months of the year the regular North 
East Trade Winds prevail ;but during the warmer months 
the Continent of Asia becoming intensely heated, an ascend 
ing current results and the cool air from the Ocean 
rushes in to restore the equilibrium thus producing a 
South West Wind, which blows generally with force and 
regularity during but part of the year.” Before these 
hurricanes appear you are given timely warning. The 
wind is baffling; the sea is troubled and has no regular 
roll. At night the air is charged with electricity; 
brilliant flashes of lightning illumine the heavens from 
horizon to horizon. While these timel)- warnings 
are being given, we have our topgallant-mast’s top- 
gallant yards, with sails sent down and secured. Our 
stormsails are got out and bent. Everything movable is 
secured, and we all with anxiety await the terrible hurri- 
cane to swoop upon us. In our present condition it was 
least acceptable;however,with a leaky ship, and an exhaus- 
ted crew, it came. At first it was light, gradually increas- 
ing until it blew so hard it was all that one could do to 
stand on the deck. With the wind followed a heavy sea; 
higher and higher surged the waves, with seeming mad- 
ness endeavoring to engulf the ship. Fiercer and fiercer 


66. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


blew the wind, while the rain beat down in torrents. 

Night came on. The shieking and moaning of the 
wind through our rigging;the lightning followed by rever- 
borating peals of thunder, made the night hideous. It 
finally began to moderate, and on the evening of the follow- 
ing day we had a whole sail breeze blowing from the 
South West. During the storm one of our water tanks 
sprang a leak, and before discovered, had entirely emptied 
itself. The remaining tank which had been in use was 
about three fourths empty. This being the case, we were 
put on an allowance of one quart of water a day, and 
since it seldom rains in that latitude, we began to grow 
solicitous. It was evident we were about to be reduced 
to the last extremity. Day in and day out did every man 
take his trick at the pumps. Weary and exhausted we 
came very near, on several occasions, to abandoning the 
ship. The winds were light, and the vessel being heavily 
loaded, our progress was very slow. Our water growing 
less every day, and fearing it would be exhausted before 
we reached Calcutta, we were put on an allowance of one 
pint a day. We were becalmed several days and our 
allowance was reduced to one-half pint, until finally, our 
water entirely gave out. We were then in the Bay of 
Bengal. Hoping to attract the attention of some passing 
vessel, we fired guns by day, and threw rockets and blue 
lights by night. For forty eight hours we had been with- 
out a drop of water. On the second night, after having 
thrown up a blue light, it was answered by a vessel, which 




SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 67 

' * 

coming near enough to speak, proved to be a pilot brig. 
We informed them of our needs, and they sent on board five 
ten gallon brakers of water. We were not long in quench- 
ing our thirst. Never did water taste so good. But it 
was measnred out discreetly to us at first. We were then 
about sixty miles from Tiger Island near one of the mouths 
of the River Ganges, where we arrived the next day, and 
proceeded to Calcutta, which is about one hundred. and 
sixty miles from its mouth. 

The river Ganges resembles the Mississippi in pos- 
sessing several outlets. The land intervening between these 
mouths forms numerous islands, called “Sunderbuuds. " 
They are covered with thick jungles, and are inhabited by 
tigers and ocher wild animals. Calcutta lies upon one of 
its branches called the Hoogly River. Seven miles from 
the city we anchored at a place called Diamond Harbor. 
Here the English have a fort named Fort William. Af- 
ter receiving orders from our consignee, we proceeded to 
the city to unload. As we neared the city, I noticed sev- 
eral bodies floating by and supposed they were merely 
drowned sailors. After a little while however, I noticed 
more, and in the space of an hour, suppose I must have 
seen forty. They were so numerous that when we an- 
chored off the city, one man was kept at watch with a 
boat hook disentangling them from our chains. This 
seeming rather peculiar to me, I asked the Captain for in- 
formation on the subject; and learned that they came from 
hundreds of miles above the city. The Aborigines, and 


68 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


some other races of that country were abject heathens. 
Their religious superstition being such that some sects 
did not bury their dead, but threw them into the river. 
When consigned to the water, they were sunk by bags of 
sand, but in course of time these bags becoming rotten, 
break, and let the decomposed body float. On the rising 
and ebbing of the tide these corpses continually passed 
and repassed our ship. The shores of the river, but more 
especially on that side where there was a cove, were lit- 
erally strewn with bodies. It was one of the most re- 
pulsive sights I ever witnessed, and the stench that arose 
was indescribable. Yellow fever was raging in that country 
at that time; which accounted for the extraordinarily 
number of floating bodies. Jackals in droves of 6oto ioo 
came down to the banks of the river to devour the bodies 
thrown on the shore. Also two species of birds, one 
called , ‘ ‘ Adj utants ’ ’ (resemling our buzzard , but having a 
a long beak). The other called the “Bramlikites,” and 
(resembling our crow) came in flocks. These would lodge 
on the floating bodies, to devour them; often flying off 
with pieces, of flesh to lodge on a tree or a house while 
they ate them. I learned that there was a penalty amoun- 
ting to $15 to $25 for killing either one of these public 
benefactors. 

Of course in that section of the country controlled 
by the English no such abominable practice of throwing 
dead bodies in the river, was for a moment tolerated. 

We reached Calcutta having made the passage in 164 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. .69 

days. During the trip seventy days and nights without 
intermission , we had worked at the pumps . The vessel being 
unloaded, it was found that a considerable portion of the 
cargo was damaged. The ship was examined by the au- 
thorities of the port, pronounced unseaworthy, and con- 
demned. 

The tides in the Bay of Bengal are similar to those 
in the Bay of Fundy. They come in by three large swells, 
called, boars, in a rush, and vessels lying at anchor, often, 
if not closely watched, break from their moorings. We 
were not allowed to remain in the river in front of the city 
more than twenty-four hours, because the vessels accumu- 
lated so fast and became so numerous, that by this continual 
rising and falling of the tide, they are liable to break their 
chains, and drift into each other which has been known to 
cause considerable damage. 

Calcutta is the largest commercial city of Hindoostan. 
The houses were built principally of wood, mostly low, 
and the majority not over two stories high. The streets 
are narrow and crooked with the exception of two which 
are the principal thoroughfares. They cross each other 
about the center of the city, and at their junction there is 
a large square resembling a miniature park, with beautiful 
shade trees, winding walks, and picturesque grottoes. In 
the square are seven large basins or tanks which combine 
usefulness with ornamentation, and in them were gold fish 
and other varieties, which were so tame they would eat 
*rom your hand. The inhabitants are Mongolians, with 


70. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


light brown skins, resembling in complexion the Chinese, 

While in Calcutta I boarded with a colored man 
from Baltimore, Md. who kept a boarding house expressly 
for white sailors. I was not in the city long before I 
pretended to be sick; supposing that I had contracted 
the Yellow Fever, they took me to the hospital. Here 
I remained several days after which I was discharged. 
Before I left the city the citizens of the place as well as the 
surrounding country celebrated some Religious Festival. 
For thirteen days all business was suspended. And the 
people amused themselves by parading the streets in pro- 
cessions of many thousands; marching to the time of some 
weird contonation; many of them carrying small idols of va- 
rigated colors, which they displayed in the most conspi- 
cuous manner. The priests at the head of the processions 
seemed to be intoning something as they moved along. 
The upper classes of the people followed the processions 
in palanquins. 

Knowing nothing of the language,these peculiar antics 
attracted my attention and excited my curiosity to know 
something of the history of the event. I learned from 
sailors who had been thereon similar occasions that the cel- 
ebration as in honor of some immaginary god. The 
sailors gave the celebration the name of Hob Sin Job 
Sin Days, which I thought was a very suggestive appela- 
tion. It occupies the first thirteen days in Janurary. 

The means of conveyance about the city was princi- 
pally in palaquins. They would take you for a small sum 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


7i* 


to any portion of the city, and even beyond. I have rid- 
den to Fort William which is several miles below the 
city. On my visit there, (our ship being condemned and 
laid out of service, and I out of employment) I enlisted 
in the British Army. I was consigned to the 55th. Irish 
Regiment. I had enlisted but a few days before they 
were ordered to march in the interior. When about fifty 
miles from the city, I grew tired of that kind of life; and 
one night while encamped, deserted and wended my way 
back to Calcutta. During my absence the brigs Diam- 
mor Scottie,and Eugene, both of Boston, had arrived. Go- 
ing on board the former vessel, I explained my situation 
to the Captain, who fearing I would be caught, concealed 
me for three days; anticipating that his vessel would be 
searched I was transferred at night to the Eugene, which 
was laying at Diamond Harbor, and ready to sail.. It 
was a lucky transfer for me; for every vessel in the radius 
of seven miles from the city was examined with the 
exception of the Eugene. These two vessels were owned 
by a company in Boston, and sailed most of the time in 
company. When the Scottie came down the harbor, and 
was ready to sail, I went 011 board and both vessels started 
down the river. In a few days we reached the mouth, 
and put to sea bound for Boston Mass. Arriving at the 
Cape of Good Hope we anchored in Table Bay, off Cape 
Town, to resupply our vessel. We sailed from there to 
St. Helena, where we stopped to refill our tanks with 
water. We chanced to arrive there on the day they un- 


72. SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

earthed Napoleon’s remains. Our vessel anchored not 
far from the French Frigate Belle Poule; commanded by 
Prince de Joinville which was to carry his remains to 
France. Napoleon’s body was transfered to the French 
vessel about sun down. We could see the funeral process- 
ion as it wended its way slowly over the hills. The body 
was accompanied by British infantry, also by a band of 
music which played a solenm funeral march. At the head 
of the quay stood Prince de Joinville attended by hisofficer. 
In the midst of these solemn military funeral rites, the body 
of Napolon was embarked on board of the French vessel. 

No sooner had his body been transferred over the 
rail than this solemn mourning scene was changed into 
one of triumph and joy. Flags were instantly unfurled 
volly, after volly, was poured forth from vessel, and forts; 
and amid these demonstrations, was Napoleon received 
back to the hands of the French nation. Three days 
later, the Belle Poule sailed for France. Another vessel 
a French sloop of war, accompaned them as an escort; 
but I do not remember her name. 

After having our water tanks refilled, orders were 
given to get her under way. One of the men (Kell by name) 
at the windlass on the Eugene which lay beside us did 
not work to suit the mate; and hesaid “You are not 

heaving.” I am, said Kelley. “You are a d d liar,” 

said the mate. “You are another,” said Kelly. With 
this, the mate drew a hand spike and aimed a blow at his 
head. Catching the weapon with his left hand, the sailor 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


drew his knife from its sheath and stabbed the mate in 
the abdomen, who instantly fell back in a swoon, and in 
a few minutes died. 

Orders were immediately given to play out the 
chains, and clew up the sails. Our Captain then went 
aboard the Eugene, and conferred, after which the two 
Captains went ashore and reported to the English author- 
ities and to the American Consul, who went with them 
on board the Eugene. A post-mortem was held — the 
remains were hurried, and Kelly by decision of the au- 
thorities, was put in irons and confined in the Lazarette 
of the Eugene to be taken to the U. S. for trial. The 
following morning we sailed. After a fine passage we 
arrived in Boston in the month of August, and hauled 
our vessel into India Wharf. I was then called by the 
captain, who paid my wages, which amounted to one- 
hnndred dollars. 

Having parted company with us about three days 
out from St. Helena, the Eugene, was three days be- 
hind us in her arrival. We found that about a week 
after she had been at sea two of her crew had been taken 
sick, and her prisoner had been liberated to help to work 
the ship. On her arrival he was handed over to the 
authorities, was tried, and acquitted on the plea of self- 
defense. He was afterwards a ship-mate with me; and I 
regarded him as as peaceable and pleasant a man to get 
along with as could be found. 

I went to board with my former friend Thos. Gool 


74 * SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

on North St. He recogonized me although it had been 
years since we met. Instead of spending my money fool- 
ishly as I had always done before, I invested the largest 
portion of my wages in clothes. On a Friday afternoon 
while walking down Hanover St. for recreation a voung 
man approached me and extended his hand. Seeing 
that I did not recognize him, he said. “Is it posible you 
don’t know a fellow by the name of William Lincoln ?” 
Can this be him \es“I should never have recognized you 
again. How is your father? bather died soon after vouleft. 

I am sorry to learn that. ’ ‘‘Are your mother and sister 
Mary living?” “Yes, both are living and well*. Sister is 
married. Iam also married and have a fine son. I want 
you to go home with me, mother and sister I know would 
be so glad to see you.” I respectfully declined his invi- 
tation. Why will you not go.” He asked? Do you not 
remember that note w r e forged on your father?” “Yes, 
but ne\ er mind that.” ‘‘I have money now and 
wish to make amends for this wrong,” I replied. He 
would not accept it; but after a long persuasion, I decided 
:o accompany him home. Mrs. Lincoln and Mary were 
?lad to see me. I was not there long before I recalled the 
ncident of my departure, and counting out the money of- 
ered to repay Mrs Lincoln. She refused to accept it say- 
ng “It was the best lesson William ever had and they 
onsidered it money well invested” I spent four very pleas - 
nt days with them and then returned to Boston. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


75 - 


CHAPTER V 

NEWS FROM HOME AND EXPERIENCE IN THE U. S. NAVY. 

I remained in Boston ten days, and being out of em- 
ployment, and money being short, I thought I would try 
to ship with a whaling expedition. Another sailor and 
myself procured a berth on a whaling vessel, which was 
lying at Fair Haven opposite New Bedford, Mass, where 
she was fitted out. We remained in New Bedford three 
weeks before her equipment was complete. 

A whaling ship is always prepared for sea by a man 
who is termed an outfitter, whose business it is to provide 
the necessary supplies and engage the crew. Being now 
out of money, my ship-mate and I would often ask. Mr. 
Head, the outfitter, for money which of course was to 
be deducted from our advance in wages. He was not 
very liberal in his loans, and seldom gave us more than 
ten cents at one time. In order to procure money to meet 
our requirements, we one day concocted a scheme. We 
asked Mr. Head to loan us his gun, stating we would like 
to have some sport. He consented, however with reluc- 
tance, and said, “Be careful you do no break her.’' We 


76. SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

took the gun and sold her for seven dollars. We divided 
the money, and before evening we both were nearly drunk 
and were without a cent. The next morning Mr. Head 
sent to our boarding house for his gun. We told the 
messenger to inform Mr. Head that the gun had been 
stolen. The messenger soon returned, requesting us to 
come immediately to his office. Upon arriving there 
we explained how the gun was stolen, and assured him 
lie would lose nothing by the accident. 

The next day the ship was ready to sail. We went 
on board and signed for a cruise of three years. Our ad- 
vance for out fit amounted to ninety-six dollars each. With 
this we were supposed to buy necessary articles for the 
voyage, consisting of several changes of clothes, boots, 

I caps, tobacco, etc. While on shore procuring the out- 
j lit, ni) 7 shipmate and I concluded we would desert the 
I ship, as we did not care to go to sea for that long a time. 

^ We chanced to meet an old colored-man, whose business 
it was to fit out vessels bound for the whaling grounds, 
and we made a bargain with him, that if he would come 
off to our ship, (which lay anchored in the harbor) we 
would sell him our two chests of out-fits ( worth ninety 
• six each) for forty dollars apiece. He readily accepted 
our offer, and that night came off to the vessel in a boat. 
The Captain at the time was on shore, and the other of- 
ficers were in the cabin drunk. Lowering our chests 
carefully into his boat, and climbing down ourselves, we 
pulled for the shore. After carrying our chests to the 


» 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


77 


colored man’s house, which was only a short distance, he 
paid us forty dollars each, and we then took the road for 
Providence. At five o'clock we stopped at a place called 
Stanton Station, (a few miles from Pair Haven) where we 
took the train, and at seven arrived in Providence. 
That same morning we shipped on a small schooner 
bound for Philadelphia. In the afternoon we started to 
sea. 

The weather looking lowery, and it being time for 
the equinoctial storm, the Capt. thought best to go through 
Long Island Sound. The next day we passed New York. 
The weather still looking hazy, we anchored behind 
Staten Island. The Capt ordered the boat lowered, and 
we all went on shore except the mate and cook. My 
ship mate, who went by the name of “Bosun ”, made the 
proposal that we go to New York. After ‘ ‘missing’ ’theCapt. 
we walked to Staten Island Ferry, and took the boat for 
the city. When we arrived, we went to our boarding 
house on Water Street, where we were well acquainted, 
and paid a week’s board in advance. After remaining 
there several days, and growing tired of being out of em- 
* ployment, the thought occured to me to enlist in the na- 
vy again. I learned they were in need of recruits, and 
one day I mentioned the subject to my ship-mate, who 
seemed to think favorably of the matter, and concluded 
that if I would enlist he would also. We went to the 
recruiting office to make inquiry, the officer informed us 
that they were shipping seamen on the following terms: 


78 . 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME 


To those who enlisted for five years they were giving 
three months wages in advance, and a bounty of thirty- 
six dollars, to the three years men they were giviim 
three months 'advance only. “Do you want to ship?” he 
asked. “Yes. Sir” we said. “You can go into the next 
room and sit down; the examining surgeon will be here 
in a few minuites,” he said. We did not wait long be- 
fore he came. We were promptly examined, and* pro- 
nounced sound. “For how long had we better ship?”! 

asked of Bosun. ‘ ‘ For the largest bounty, of course, ’ ’ he 
answered. 

We were then conducted back to the enrolling officer 
who asked, ‘For how long do you want to enlist men 
for five years?” “Yes sir,” we said. Notes were then 
given us for the bounty and three months wages in ad- 
vance, which amounted to seventy-two dollars for each. 

I enlisted under the assumed name of William Hardin. 
We were ordered to report on board in three days. 

We employed our leisure time in visiting places of 
interest about the city, and attending theatres. Our 
three days of grace being out we reported at the office, 
and in the evening were sent on board the North Carolina 
an eighty gun ship, lying at anchor in the North River 
opposite the city. Being intoxicated when I went on 
boaid, I was soon shown my hammock, and turned in for 
the night. The next morning I slept rather late, and 
when the roll was called, I was yet asleep. I was awak- 
ened by the repeated call for “Wm. Hardin! Wm. Hardin!” 




' 

|| SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 79, 

Lj 

h ot knowing it was for me (for I had forgotten about 
1 flanging my name) I paid no attention. Soon an officer 
rame below and asked, “What is your name?” ‘ ‘William 
ferry gen sir,” I answered. “Why, you must be the 
[pan we are looking for, he said, “the crew have all 
fiswered to their names but you; any way, go on deck.” 
If soon dressed and went aft where they w T ere congregated 
I .[‘Every man has answered to the roll call but you;” said 
he Captain, “Is your name Hardin?” Remembering 
fliat I did assume that name and seeing the predicament 
khich I was in, I said “I suppose it is sir.” “We will call 
i outhat, said the Captain, “and you men w r ho forget your 
aimes, please have them written in your caps.” This 
Ijemark caused an outburst of laughter, to my chagrin. 

Suffering from the previous night’s revel, I w T as feel- 
j |fig in a poor physical condition, which was apparent to 
he captain, who told me to go down below again, 
j A month after this I had liberty to go ashore 
or forty eight hours. I walked down to North River 
her 4, wdiere I saw^ two schooners from Milton, Del. 
loth the Captains w^ere talking together on the deck of 
! ue of the vessels. I went aboard and asked, “Do these 
vssels belong to Milton, Del?” “yes ’’they said. One of 
1 em asked, “Are you acquainted in Milton?” I replied “I 
( ught to be, I was born within tw T o and one half miles 
:i the place.” “Isn’t this little Jackson Pettyjohn?” he 
fked. I said, “I am.” “Can this be you? he exclaimed 
t* ith astonishment. “Your people have never heard any 


8o. x SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

news from you, and it is the impression that you are dead. 
I learned that the Captain's name was Henry W. John- 
son. The other was Capt. Mvrus Darby. I inquired 
about the health of my father and mother. It being 
noon, Capt. Johnson invited me to come on board and 
eat dinner, which I accepted. “Why do you not 
go home" he asked “your father and mother have 
been grieving over you for years, in conse quence of 
which your mother has been suffering from impaired 
health, and at times is confined to her bed. You 
are doing wrong in staying away." After dinner, the 
Captain asked me to go home with him, stating his vessel 
was ready to sail, and he would not charge me anything 
for the passage. “I thank you very kindly Captain" I 
replied, but it would be impossible for me to go now: I 
belong on board that Man of War, the North Carolina, 
lying anchored there in the river. I would like to go, 
but if I was found on your vessel it would involve you 
in trouble, and besides, should I make my escape, I 
would not like to go home in the condition I am at pres- 
ent.,, “I am anxious that you should go," said the Capt., 
“And I will make you a proposition, come with me to 
the depot; I will give you ten dollars which will more 
than pay your way home. I agreed; and when we reach- 
ed the ticket office, he bought my ticket, and gave me 
the remainder of the ten dollar note. We then walked to 
the ferry. I bid him good bye, and crossed the river to 
Jersey City, pretending to take the train. Instead, I 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 8l. 

boarded the ferry-boat above where I landed, crossed 
back to New York, went to my boardinghouse on Water 
St., where I joined my ship-mates again. The next 
morning my liberty was up; but being intoxicated I did 
not return to the ship. In the evening I was arrested by 
one of the officers of the vessel taken on board, and placed 
in irons, where I remained for several days. 

The Independence frigate, a 64 gun ship commanded 
by commodore Stewart; bearing the broad pennant, was 
ordered to Vera Cruz, Mexico. She being in need of 
seamen, a draft was made from the North Carolina and 
and I was included in it. In a few days we left New 
York, and while in the Gulf Stream the vessel sprang a 
leak. We put back to Boston, where w r e arrived in Jan- 
uary 1841. 

When Capt. Johnson returned to Milton, he called 
to see my father and mother (who still lived in the old 
home 2]/z miles from to wn)and inquired if I had return- 
ed the)’ seemed confounded at such an inquiry. He 
informed them that he had seen me in New York and 
that I was well, and related the incident of our meeting, 
also the transaction, and judged that I had come home. 
This naturally excited thier curiosity, and supposing 
that I was still on the North Carolina, my mother resolv- 
ed to go to New York as soon as possible to see me. 
Capt. Ross, who married my mother’s sister, volunteered 
to accompany her. They came to New York, gained ad- 
mission on the ship, and asked to see Captain Patterson. 


82 . 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


My mother related to him the object of the visit, saying, 
that she had a son on board, who left home seven vears 
ago, and in that time she had not seen him and had heard 
of him only once. She hoped to see him again before 
she died. “Madam,’' replied the Captain, “if your son is 
on board you shall see him.” He ordered every man to 
be mustered, the roll was called, and every man passed 
her one by one. Failing to find me (as I was told after- 
ward) she wept bitterly, and returned home almost bro- 
ken hearted. 

The frigate Independence remained in Boston quite a 
time undergoing repairs. While there two other sailors 
and my-self, growing tired of the service, and not having 
had liberty for a long time, planned a scheme to desert. I 
remember it was on a cold calm night in'January, and not 
a ripple disturbed the waters. On a man of war while in 
port, there are always four sentinels stationed on guard; 
One on each port and starboard side one aft the other 
forward on the forecastle deck. This being the case we 
had no chance to lower a boat, and therefore concluded 
to swim. My shipmates having the advantage over me 
in being good swimmers, I procurred a “mess breaker” 
(a small cask) with which I hoped to float my-self to 
shore. Carefully watching the sentinals walk from for- 
ward aft, we quietly and gradually lowered ourselves into 
the water from the lower port. It was a bitter cold night 
and very unfavorable for such an undertaking. My com- 
rades succeeding in swimming a short distance from the 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


S3- 


ship without being detected, I naturally followed. We 
had not gone far before one of them becoming chilled and 
taking the cramp, called for help. This attracted a sen- 
tinel, who immediately gave the alarm. They lowered a 
boat and started to his rescue, but before they could 
reach him, he disappeared beneath the water and was nev- 
er seen again. Fearing to continue, least I should be 
caught, I paddled back to the vessel and held on to the 
udder chains, hoping from this hiding place to have ar 
chance to renew my efforts to reach land. I was com- 
pelled to remain there so long, that I too became chilled, 
and knowing that I could hold on no longer, I hailed the 
ship, “ship Independence, ahoy! ’ ' It was some time before 
they could locate the sound. Finally they discovered 
where I was, and bringing the boat, I was hauled in and 
carried on board. I was nearly frozen my fingers were so 
benumned, they had entirely lost their use. I was rubbed, 
wrapped in blankets, and after fully recovering, was 
hand-cuffed and placed in my hammock. The other man 
succeeded in reaching land, and made his escape. The 
next day I was brought before the officers; charges of de- 
sertion were preferred against me, and I was set down for 
a Court Martial. This court is composed of three su- 
perior officers as judges, and the crew who saw the trans- 
action as witnesses. 

“Did you intend to take a French leave, or desert ?” 
asked the Commodore. I answered, “To tell you the truth 
sir, I had sold all my clothes with the exception of 


84. x SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

what I wore, and I intended to desert.” The law was 
read, and I was ordered to be punished with 48 lashes on 
the bare-back with the plain cat-o ’nine- tails. Com- 
modore Stewart, that venerable old man, immediately 
arose and said, “As the punishment is a severe one, I 
will revoke twelve lashes.” The Captain also said, “I will 
revoke twelve.” (as they have a right to do.) And by 
their leniency I was to receive twenty-four. The da}^ ap- 
pointed for the punishment I was conducted aft, and a 
process similar to the one in Valparaiso was gone through . 
While receiving my punishment, I became angered at 
Captain Galliger; who standing close by, seemed to enjoy 
the entertainment. I swore; calling him an “Old repro- 
bate!” Being astonished at my impudence, he looked at 
me for a few seconds, and then said, “You are hard by 
name, and hard by nature, but as long as we are ship- 
mates , you shall remain in irons , if it is three years together . ’ ’ 
When I had received fourteen lashes he ordered the flog- 
ging to be discontinued, and told the mate to serve out 
the remaining ten lashes with the “Thieves Cats” (which 
was double the size of the common cats) and used prin- 
cipally to punish those who were convicted for stealing, 
and to give me one lash every minute. The punishment 
was not long, but severe. Targe whelks stood out on 
my flesh, while the blood trickled down my back and 
dripped on deck. Yet I was compelled to bear all this 
without a murmur. The day was as cold as I ever saw 
in Boston harbor. After the flogging, my back was sore 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


85 


for a long time. I was placed back in irons, where the 
Captain said I should remain as long as we were ship 
mates together. 

By this' I knew that Captain Galliger and I were no 
friends. I sent a sergeant of the marines, asking to see 
Lieutenant Glendi, who when he came, I told I had ex- 
pected I was to be included in the draft of men for the 
frigate, Congress, for whose compliment of men a draft 
had been made. “So you were, ’ ' he replied, ‘ ‘but was over- 
looked, I will attend to it right away.” He then 
gave an invitation to the drafted men for one of them to 
yield his place to me, and a number were ready to do 
it. My irons were taken off, and I was transferred to 
the Congress. She was a new ship with an armament of 
64 guns, and comprising a crew of 640 men, command- 
ed by Captain Voreese, who was formerely commander 
of the sloop of war, “John Adams.” For cruelty to the 
men he was tried by a Court Martial and suspended from 
service for thirteen years. The Congress was the vessel 
placed in his command when reinstated. We were in 
Portsmouth several months, and after having her outfit 
completed, she was ordered to the Mediterranean. We 
sailed for Gibral ter July 5th. , 1841 . That morning the 
crew was called aft, the Captain mounting one of the 
gun carriages, read the articles of war, and made a speech 
in which he gave us to understand that he was “Master 
of the ship,” and that every man reported to him by an 
officer, as not conforming strictly with the rules and reg. 


86. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


ulations, guilty or not, would be punished, from the 
youngest to the oldest; if every hair on their heads was 
white as snow." By this introductory he did not leave a 
very favorable impression. We reached Gibraltar after a 
fine passage, and from there, sailed to Port Mahon on 
the Island of Minorca, where we stopped to re-supply the 
ship with provisions and water. We had been there 
several days, and not being allowed liberty, we began to 
make complaint. The Captain noticing this, and know- 
ing that we would resent this restriction conceded, and 
with reluctance granted us what is called “sun-down 
liberty;" i. e. those who were allowed to go on shore, 
should return before sun-down. With this he issued an 
other that every man breaking his liberty should receive 
twelve of the cats, and one in addition to every hour he 
remained over his time. 

Among the first company that went on shore were 
three who did not return until after dark. The first one 
made his appearance at ten. He being arrested by the 
sentinel, was reported, and all hands called to witness 
punishment. The next came on board about twelve. 
We were again called to witness the same procedure. 
The last arrived at one o'clock, and we were again sum- 
moned on deck. While the prisoner was being prepared 
for the flogging. Some one threw an iron bound block 
at Capt. Vorees’s head. It missed him and struck the 
hammock netting. He immediatlv ordered all hands to 
be piped down, and went below himself; in consequence 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 87. 

of which the third man did not receive a stroke. This 
circumstance was never mentioned. The following mor- 
ning, the crew were in ill humor because this liberty was 
parsimoniously restricted. In early morning a water 
boat which came off the night before, came along side 
with a supply of water. A yard purchase was rigged on 
the fore yard to hoist the water on board, which was in 
breakers containing twenty gallons each. About 20 men 
were detailed to hoist one of these on board. And when 
the order was given to “draw away,” they refused. 

3dr. Lieutenant Porter who was officer of the deck at 
the time, noticing this, and knowing the men were 
vexed, ordered the boat-swains mate(Mr. Reeves) to hur- 
ry them with the colt. 

(A colt is a small piece of rope carried by the inferi- 
or officers in their hats or pockets to strike the men when 
they shirk duty.) 

The officer started to do as he w T as ordered, and the 
first man he struck being a large fellow (Jack Butcher by 
name) retaliated, knocking him down. This called 
fourth an outburst of applause, and in chorus, we gave 
three cheers for our comrade. Several of the men ran 
finward and pointed the two forward guns aft. The of- 
ficers in a few seconds betook themselvesho the cabin. 
The great confusion on board attracted the attention of 
the commander of the frigate Ohio, (Commodore wearing 
the blue) and the Columbus (Commodore Morgan wear- 
ing the red) wffiich were lying on either side of our ship 


88 . 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


\ 


only about 200 yards distant. Lowering their boats they 
came on board and enquired the cause of such commo- 
tion. All the superior officers having sought safety in 
the cabin, they were informed by the petit officers of the 
ship. After being assured they were out of danger, the 
officers came from their seclusion, on deck; and the petit 
officers were all called aft and requested to relate the 
cause of such transactions. These officers related the 
cause, and gave a strict account of all that had happened. 
Commodore Morgan reproved us for such conduct; and 
said it ill became us as Americans to bring reproach upon 
the flag, especially in a foreign port. And hoped that 
such a thing would never occur again. He gave orders 
to Capt. Voreese to pay each man $5.00 and grant a liberty 
of twenty-four hours forwith. And said that when the 
Congress Frigate should be in any harbor more than 48 
hours, twenty four of those hours should be given for 
liberty. He then revoked our Captain’s perogative of 
punishment for a period of six months. Our first Lieut. 
Mr. Browning was sent on board the Fairfield Sloop of 
War. And our ship was ordered on a six months cruise. 

We sailed from Mahone to Marseilles in France and 
from there to /Toulon. Leaving there we sailed to Genoa, 
Italy, noted as the birth place of Columbus. Thence to 
Leghorn, where I arrived on my first ocean voyage. From 
there to Naples, noted for its beautiful bay, where I also 
saw the burning volcano, Vesuvius. From the latter 
place we were ordered to Gibraltar. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 89. 

4 r 

Some trouble existing between the Algerian Govern- 
ment and the United States, we were then ordered to ap- 
pear before the city of Tangier. Before proceeding there 
however we were ordered to remain at Gibraltar until the 
steam -ship Missouri should arrive with a supply of am- 
munition. When we reached there, besides our own fleet 
there was a large concourse of war vessels representing 
almost every nationality of Europe. Our fleet at that time 
in the Mediteranean, as well as I can remember, 
comprised the following vessels. The Delaware and 
Columbus frigates, each 74 guns, the Congress and Rare- 
ton frigates, each 64 guns, the Fairfield and Marion 
sloops of war, and the brig Truxon. 

The remains of Commodore Porter were brought 
from Constantinople to Gibralter in the brig Truxon; and 
thence conveyed to the U. S. in the Ohio. 

The whole fleet was lying at Gibralter awaiting the 
arrival of the Missouri. About 1 o’clock in the afternoon, 
as well as I recollect, the Missouri was seen steaming up 
the straits. She was a fine wooden ship of 32 guns, and 
was the first American steam Frigate to cross the 
Atlantic. She anchored about three hundred yards from 
our ship. She had brought our orders, and seven tons 
extra of powder for the fleet, if needed. It had been a 
beautiful day, the sky was clear, and as the sun sank to 
rest and twilight drew her curtain, the moon rose gradu- 
ally from the sea and cast her silver light over the fleet. 
Our band came on deck and played ‘ ‘God save the Queen / 5 


90. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


An English Man of War lying at our left, answered with 
the “Star Spangled Banner.” From the French was 
wafted to us the strains of the “Red White and Blue.” 
It was answered by our flag-ship with the “Marseilles 
Hymn.” For an hour or more did the different bands 
exchange National airs. To add to the effect an occas- 
sional rocket was sent hissing through the sky; and burst 
ing, poured forth a shower of stars of variegated colors; 
while the salutes from the battlements of Gibralter made 
the scene magnificent. This picture made an indelible 
impression upon my mind, one that I hope the infirmi- 
ties of declining age may not entirely efface. At two bells 
(9 o’clock) all hands were piped down to hammocks. 
About 11 o'clock the Missouri was discovered to be on 
fire. When the fire was found to be uncontrollable the 
crew were all taken off, every nation represented there, 
both by ships and by land vied bravely with each other 
in rendering aid. Their boats helped to carry off the crew. 
And for the first time since Gibralter was taken from 
Spain by the British, her gates were thrown wide open to 
another nation; and that in the spirit of hospitality. 

About one in the morning, the fire reaching the 
powder, the forward magazine blew up with a terrific ex- 
plosion. 

We gladly found that no one was either killed or 
injured; although she had 380 men. Even the pet dog 
was safely taken off. 

In a few days Jour fleet sailed for Tangiers without 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


91. 


our supply of ammunition. For some cause which I do 
not remember, the Tangerian authorities had imprisoned 
the American Consul. When we arrived before their 
forts we moored in line — beat to quarters, cleared the 
decks for action, and double-shotted our guns; and the men 
stood by with matches lighted ready not knowing at what 
moment the forts might open fire upon us. And two 
Commodores went ashore, to the authorities, demand- 
ed the release of our Consul, which they refused, evident- 
ly thinking that our Government would offer a ransom. 
They were allowed until 8 o’clock the next morning to 
deliver him safely up. Not a man was allowed during 
this interview to leave his post. Even our meals were 
brought to us. The hour came, and the Consul was not 
delivered. We then opened fire on the forts, their guns 
replied but were soon silenced; and open shots having fal- 
len in the city, it was on fire. Then it was we saw them 
bringing the Consul in a boat as rapidly as they could. 
Upon which our guns immediately ceased to fire. 

This proved a dear imprisonment for the Algerian 
Government costing them abont $3,000,000.00 

Soon after the Consul was recieved on board, the 
fleet stood out to sea for Gibralter, arriving there, we re- 
mained a week, and then sailed to Messina, from there to 
Palermo both cities being on the Isle of Sicily. From 
the latter place we sailed to Tunis and Tripoli and thence 
up the Adriatic to Trieste in Austria. Returning we 
stopped at Napoli Romani and from there we went to 


92. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


Athens and thence to Bolar. We then sailed lip through 
the Dardanelles, through the sea of Marmora into the Bos- 
phorous to Constantinople. Thence through the Bos- 
phorous, into the Black Sea to Odessa in Russia. Rem- 
aining there a short time orders came for us to return and 
relieve the Brandywine Frigate then stationed at Rio 
Janeiro. 

On our way we stopped at Smyrna, and from there 
we sailed to Joppa. Liberty was given at the latter place 
and several of the men and many of the officers availing 
themselves of the opportunity, started to visit Jerusalem 
28 miles distant. I was desirous to go, but being on the 
black list I thought it useless to ask permission. How- 
ever nothing like trying, I soliloquised and surmising 
they would have a splendid time I approached Lieutenant 
Porter, who was officer of the deck at that time, and said 
to him. “Lieutenant, I would like to join the company 
who are going on shore as this would probably be my last 
chance to visit the city”. My request I have reason to 
think would have been granted, had I not offered, as an 
inducement, one hundred dollars in case he would give 
me permission. I soon saw my mistake; for instantly 
his countenance changed. “Go forward,” he said “you 
dog ! how dare you address such an insulting proposition 
to me?” 

From Joppa we sailed to Alexandria in Egypt. I 
was on shore in Alexandria but once. From there we 
sailed to Gibraltar, and thence for Riojaneiro, Brazil. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


93 - 


On the way we stopped at the Island ofMaderiaand refilled 
our tanks with water. There always existed dissatisfaction 
among the crew towards the officers. The exalted po- 
sition they occupied; the rigor with which they enforced 
their rights engendered anything but an amiable feeling. 
They occupied the best sleeping apartments, had stewards 
and waiters to cater to their wants, and their table was 
always supplied with the best. Their food was not cook- 
ed in the same utensils as ours. ‘‘They are no better, 
that they should not eat common food, than we are,” 
remarked one of the men, “at least it ought to be cooked 
in the same pots and kettles, ” The thought occured to 
one of the sailors, and he mentioning it to the rest, readily 
received their approval, and we agreed that on the first 
opportunity we would throw overboard all the cook- 
ing utensils used by the cooks and officers stewards. We 
had left Maderia a day when we encountered a heavy 
gale. During the storm at night, the first watch suc- 
ceeded in getting into the cooks apartment, took the 
large spare arm-chest in which were all the officers cook- 
ing utensils, and consigned it to the deep. They then 
took the range from the stove, and threw it overboard, so 
that they could not cook anything. 

On a man-of-war, at four in the morning, the cooks 
are called to get the officers coffee. When they went to 
the apartment they discovered that it had been com- 
pletely emptied and the officers that morning were com- 
plelled to go without their coffee. At six, all the crew 


94- 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


were called aft. The captain offered the man who would 
inform on the party who threw the chest and range over- 
board, the following reward. He would. give him his dis- 
charge, pay his wages, see that he was protected, and 
would send him to the United States free of charge. But 
his offer was useless, for no one dare disclose the secret. 
For this offence the whole crew was black-listed for three 
months. Every morning after quarters we marched to 
the time of the rogues march and was denied our liberty. 

We put in to Teneriffe one of the Canary Islands, 
where the officers procured cooking utensils. From there 
we sailed direct for Riojaneiro, arriving we took the sta- 
tion of the Brandywine Frigate. While there war broke 
out between Buenos Ayres and Montevideo; and we were 
ordered to the Rio-de-la-Plat to protect the United States 
commerce in those waters, where we remained until the 
war was over, and then returned to Riojeniero. We had 
been there but a few days when I was accused of drunk- 
eness tried by court martial, but they failing to prove the 
charge, I was acquitted. Liberty being given for 48 hours 
I drew twenty-dollars of my wages, went on shore where 
I at once sold my uniform, bought a citizens’ suit, looked 
about the city to find the best exit, crossed the ferry and 
deserted. I crossed from Riojaneiro to RioGrande which 
is opposite the city; and started for Pernambuco. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


95 - 


'A 


CHAPTER VI. 

HOW WE BROUGHT SLAVES FROM CONGO, AFRICA, TO 

RIO JANEIRO, BRAZIL. 

I had bought in Riojaneiro a small traveling satchel 
and a canteen. The satchel I had filled with provisions, 
and the canteen with water before I started on my journey. 
The first day I traveled about ten miles, and failing to 
reach any house by night, I slept in the bushes. The 
next morning, I started early, following closely the sea 
coast, and at the foot of a range of mountains. The fol- 
lowing afternoon my provisions being exhausted, and see- 
ing a small village in the distance on my left, I approach- 
ed it. I soon found a hotel and a man standing on the 
porch, who I soon learned to be the proprietor, who ad- 
dressed me in the Brazilian tongue and the following 
conversation in that tongue ensued “Are you an English- 
man? he asked ” “No sir, I am an American,” “English- 
men are rouges,” but Americans are gentlemen; come in, 
you are welcome, ’ ’hejsaid. “Haveiyou had any supper?’ ’ 
“No Sir” He immediately informed his wife who began 
to prepare me something to eat. After my meal we sat 


96. SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

down to have a conversation. I learned that it. was diffi- 
cult and dangerous for an Englishman to attempt to 
travel in that country, as the British government at that 
time was endeavoring to suppress their slave trade. Be- 
ing tired I requested to be shown to my bed. In the 
morning I informed my host I must go and offered to pay 
him for my meals and nights lodging but he would not 
accept anything and pressed me hard to stay over another 
day and night, which finally I did. Then bidding him 
good day I resumed my journey. Before I left however 
he refilled my satchel with provisions, and gave me a 
bottle of wine. The next night I lodged at a plantation. 
The following afternoon I arrived at a small river called 
the Sanjuan. At the ferry I was intercepted by an officer 
who demanded a passport. Failing to have one, he de- 
tained me about an hour. He gave me a .strict examin- 
ation, and after satisfying himself that I was not an 
Englishman, he wrote me a temporary pass-port and 
allowed me to proceed. After this I met with no further 
opposition. I traveled day after day, being very fortunate 
in arriving at a plantation about night, the roads were 
very rough, and after several days walking my shoes were 
nearly worn out. The soles became so thin that in sev- 
eral places the}^ were worn through; and my feet being 
thus exposed to the hot sands and stony roads, were bruis- 
ed, and in some places blistered. 

Arriving at a plantation, I stopped, hoping to be 
able to refit myself and to rest. The planter was a Scotch- 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 97 . 

man, and one of the largest slave owners in the Brazils. 
Being in need of a man to work his slaves (as one of 
his bosses was sick) he persuaded me to remain with him 
until his man should recover. I consented. My work 
was to superintend a gang of slaves numbering about 
forty. He was a large coffee grower. His whole number 
of slaves was about one thousand. After remaining with 
him two weeks and procuring another pair of shoes, he 
paid me seven dollars, and I again started. After a long 
and tedious journey I reached the Amazon River, at a 
small town sixty miles from Purnambuco. During my 
travel through the country I found the people to be very 
hospitable. I knew enough of the language to make iny 
wants knowrn, and after a while could converse intelli- 
gently. During my journey I was compelled to sleep 
three nights out of doors. Twice I slept on the ground, 
and once, being in rather a wild looking locality, I would 
not venture to lie on the ground; but climbed up in a 
large tree and there spent the night. I was 64 days in 
travelling from Riojaneiro to the Amazon River. From 
there I succeeded in working my passage on a small salt 
boat down the river to Pernambuco. From there I ship- 
ped in a schooner bound for Cape Frio about 60 miles to 
Northard and Eastward of Riojaneiro where I deserted. 
Knowing the Congress Frigate had sailed I felt it safe to 
return. Being there a few days, I shipped on a brig 
which was a slaver, bound for Cobendo on the West coast 
of Africa near the mouth of the Congo river. 


98. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


She was a vessel carrying eight broadside guns and 
a long eighteen pounder amid ship. 

This was a business entirely new to me and on being 
explained, promised to prove remunerative and also ex- 
citing. The business was carried on in a sort of clandes- 
tine way, tire government keeping one eye open, and the 
slavers taking care to keep the other shut. In fact it 
was an open secret which the government took no action 
to suppress, and was carried on in the same manner in 
which slaves were imported into the United States. Those 
engaged in the traffic were laying themselves liable to be 
captured by European armed vessels, which were con- 
tinually cruising in those waters. If caught the penalty 
was severe. According to English laws, a vessel captured 
without resistance , having on board slaves was held as piracy 
in the second degree, the ship confiscated, and the crew 
liable to imprisonment for a term of years. If captured 
after resistance, it was adjudged as piracy in the first de- 
gree, and punishable by death at will. Knowing this we 
must necessarily be cautious in our undertakings, and 
very careful in all our proceedings. On this account it 
was oftentimes almost impossible to procure a crew, es- 
pecially on an armed vessel. To do so the slavers were 
compelled to offer large inducements. The terms offered 
as follows. They allowed me twenty millrays per month 
(which in our money is ecpial to about $io.52)with which 
I was to procure my out-fit; also to buy small stores, as 
sugar, coffee, tobacco, etc. When the voyage was com- 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


99 - 


A 


pleted, I was to receive seven hundred millrays premium, 
(equal to 364 dollars of our money,) and a prime slave; 
if the voyage was successful. 

The brig in wich I sailed was owned by Emanuel D. 
Paynter, an Italian, formerely of Genoa, and one of the 
largest slave traders in the Brazils, being sole owner of 56 
Slavers, carrying from 75 to 1000 slaves each. Cape Frio 
being a short distance from the city, seemed a suitable 
place for the traffic; and was easily made a place of ren- 
dezvous. The slave trade was carried on in a very sys- 
tematic way. Agents were stationed along the Congo 
and other ports, who communicated by returning vessels 
when a cargo was ready. These slaves were captured by 
the superior tribes which were constantly engagedin war, 
were brought to the coast and sold. 

When our brig was ready, we sailed. We never 
ventured to leave land in the daytime, for fear of being 
shadowed by a Man-of-War, but always at night. Then 
with all sail crowded we made from shore, and put to sea. 
A watch was always stationed at mast head, and the very 
instant a sail was sighted with an)’ likelihood of coming 
near, we changed our course. Should any one else notice 
a sail before discovered by the watch at mast head, the 
watch is compelled to forfeit fifty dollars. When nearing 
the African coast, we did so in the daytime, got our bear- 
ings and stood off again. At night we returned and 
hoisted a signal of three lights, which, should everything 
be favorable, was answered by a corresponding one from 


> 


IOO. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FRO.M HOME. 


land. We then sailed in close to shore, dropped our 
small anchor, cleared the slave deck and prepared to take 
in our cargo. The slaves were brought off in canoes, 
carrying from eighteen to twenty. Men armed with 
cutlases and boarding pistols, (the whole crew were arm- 
ed continously) were stationed on each side of the gang- 
way; and as the slaves were conducted on board they 
were divested of all clothing, and placed between decks. 
In a few hours we had on board 780 slaves. 

We got promptly under w r ay, all sail was set and we 
were out of sight of land before morning. Getting out 
of the track of passing vessels, we gave our cargo an in- 
spection. Those who were inclined to be pugnacious, 
w r e shackled down. The others were allowed to walk 
permiscuously, on the slave deck. Wooden gratings were 
placed over the hatches, and each one strictly guarded. 
All extra sail was bent, cannon loaded, and every pre- 
caution taken to elude capture. Every day, detatchments 
of slaves (from 15 to 20) were hourly brought on deck to 
get fresh air and be washed. Their hair was closely cut. 
These precautions were taken as a preventive from ship 
fever. We fed them principally on fruits, beaus, rice, 
crackers, and salt meats. In fourteen days we succeeded 
in landing our slaves safely at Cape Frio. 

The brig was again fitted out, this time for Quilimane, 
Mozambique on the east coast of Africa. As an induce- 
ment to make a second trip, they offered (in addition to 
my regular allowance) to give me the price of one prime 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. IOI. 

slave, minus the cost of transportation, which was fifty 
dollars; also to allow me to buy a slave at African prices 
(from $8 to $10) if I liked with the privilege of selling 
in the regular slave market of Brazil, (where the price 
ranged from $150.00 to $1,000.00.) As I had made a 
a good thing of it financially on my first voyage, and 
meeting w T ith no difficulty, I agreed to try another. In 
a few days we were ready and sailed. We arrived at 
Quilimane on the eleventh day out, took in 760 slaves, 
and sailed for Cape Frio. After several days, out we discov- 
ered a sail about 10 miles to the windward. And by the 
strangers actions suspicioned him to be a man of war. 
Unlooseing some of our extra small sail, we spread it to 
the wind. Our suspicions were confirmed when we no- 
ticed the stranger do the same. We soon discovered that 
his vessel was a good sailer, for at noon he was only about 
three miles distant. Hoping to cause 11s to heave to, he 
fired a blank cartridge, to which we paid no attention. 
The wind for a while favouring us, we gained on our ad- 
versary, then shifting a little, it favored him. At three 
o’clock, being about two miles distant, they fired a solid 
shot, which fell short. Seeing that we were about to be 
overtaken before night, we bent on moonsail, skysail, 
studdingsail below and aloft. Both vessels looked like a 
cloud of canvass. The wind breezed up, and we had all that 
we could carry, and were going through the water as fast 
as sail and wind could drive us. Our enemy fired again; 
this time cutting off a portion of our jibboom. Then we 


102. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


opened upon him with our long eighteen pounder. A 
running fight ensued which lasted three hours. We ex- 
changed with them shot for shot. At six we were one- 
half mile apart. Our gunner said, “Captain, I think I 
will give her eighteen.” Loading her with a heavy 
charge, and taking a long steady aim, he fired, which 
took effect, cutting away her main topmast. This short- 
ening her sail considerably, enabled us to make our es- 
cape. After dark we wore ship, and stood on a four point 
course. At two we hauled to the wind, supposing the 
two vessels to be sixty miles apart. They were poor 
gunners, for not a man of us was hurt. Meeting with no 
other opposition, on the 28th day we arrived safely at our 
destination. We learned afterwards that the vessel which 
endeavored to intercept us was the Dolphin, an English 
Cruiser of four guns. Before we could discharge our 
slaves, the ship fever broke out, and 27 of them died. 

I was duly discharged, and paid with twelve hundred 
and twenty eight dollars for the two voyages. I them 
took passage to Rio, and secured a berth 011 the ship 
Phila. of Phila. bound to New Orleans, with a cargo of 
coffee, where we arrived, making the passage in forty 
days. Three weeks after arriving in New Orleans I shipped 
in a morphrodite brig, (the Mary of New York) loaded 
with general merchandise, and having on deck one hun- 
dred live hogs. We had nice weather, and everything 
went along smoothly for several days (except the hogs; 
they were sea-sick). We had a negro cook who did not 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 103. 

go very tidy, neither would his cooking bear close inspec- 
tion. Hoping we would see some improvement, we sail- 
ors said nothing, but patiently waited. We had been to 
sea five days, when, instead of our food getting better, it 
gradually grew worse, and we resolved to make complaint. 
The next morning the cook as usual, shoved into our 
apartment a conglomeration of salt meat and potatoes 
called, “Scouse”. My indignation being at its height, 
I took the “kid" (as we called it) and carrying it aft, 
called the Captain. “Here sir is a fair specimen of the 
food we have been compelled to eat, and it is not fit for a 
dog.” “It is the same as I eat,”' replied the Captain, 
“and I am sure it is good enough for you”. “If there 
is not an improvement in the food, and that soon, there 
is going to be trouble, "I replied. The next day as usual, 
our kid was brought in by the cook, with a mess far infer- 
ior to anything that we had yet seen. Not intending to 
eat anything, I walked to the galley, looked in, and saw 
the cook frying pan-cakes for the Captain. I went into 
the forecastle, took our kid of abomable hash, which was 
almost boiling hot, walked to the gaily and threw it and 
its contents into the negro’s face. “Take that you black 
scoundrel, and never dare to bring us such food again !” 
I said. The contact with the hot liquid, together with 
the* ‘kid, ’ ' burned and skinned one side of the negro’s face 
and neck, and one hand. The Captain, second mate, and 
owner of the cargo, seeing the affair, came forward, 
seized hold of me, and after a short scuffle fastened on 


104. SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

the irons, and I was imprisoned in the lazarette. The 
following day, the crew refusing to work unless I was 
released, the Captain was compelled ta let me out. The 
negro’s burns were so severe, that he was unable to 
work, and one of the sailors was detailed in his place. 
After this, our cooking was better. We arrived in Gaud* 
aloupe, and there being no wharves, we were compelled 
to lighter our cargo on shore. While unloading, another 
sailor named Jack, and myself, leaving the boat with 
which we had towed a lighter, by the shore, went to a 
liquor store and remained longer than w r e intended to. 
The tide rising, threw our boat on some rocks, and knock- 
ed a hole in her. Being unable to use her, we hired a 
man to row us off to the vessel. The Captain soon in- 
quired, “What has become of the boat?” We informed 
him of the accident. “I shall compel you to pay for that 
boat,” said the Captain. “Yes, we will with a hook." 
The next day was Sunday. A captain of a vessel lying 
not far distant, came along side with his boat, and took 
our captain on shore. Before he left, he gave orders to 
the mate to not allow any passing boat to take us two off. 
Being unable to use our boat, we were compelled to re- 
main on board. Late in the afternoon, the Captain hired 
a colored boy to row him off to the vessel. A squall 
came up about the time he arrived, and as it began to 
rain, he invited the boy in the cabin until it should pass 
over. “Come Jack,” I said, lets take the boy’s boat and 
go ashore. Unloosing her, and getting in, we rowed off 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 105. 

and did not return until early the next morning: com- 
pelling the boy to remain on board all night. I told 
Jack that as we would be compelled to pay for the boat, 
I had fully made up my mind not to do any more work 
on that ship, as it would consume my wages for the whole 
voyage. “I will not ask you to follow my example' ’ I 
said; but do as you like.” In the morning all hands were 
called early to wash deck. All went to work but me. 
The mate came forward and inquired the cause. I told 
him, I did not intend to do anymore work. The Captain 
then came forward, and I told him the same. “I shall 
be compelled then to call the American Consul,” he re- 
plied, “and have you put in prison.” '‘Do as you like, 
Captain, but I will never pay for that boat,” I said. He 
ordered the mate to go on shore and have the Consul 
come on board. While on his errand, I dressed myself 
in my best clothes, (for I had a very nice suit) and prom- 
enaded one part of the deck, while the Captain walked 
the other. When the consul arrived, supposing I was 
the Captain, he said, “Good morning, Captain.” “Good 
morning Consul,” I replied, and informed him of his 
mistake. He then walked aft to the Captain. “What is 
the trouble Captain?” he asked. The Captain replied 
“The man you see here, has absolutely refused duty.” 
Turning to me, the Consul said, “Surely he does not 
look like a mutinous man, I would have supposed him 
to be a gentleman.” After hearing the evidence, he said 
“I think Captain the matter can be adjusted without 


io6. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


trouble/’ But I failing to agree to the terms proposed, 
the Consul asked the Captain what he wanted done with 
me. “Can we not take him on board that French man-of- 
war and have him flogged?” Suggested the Captain. 
“Possibly we can,” replied the Consul. He ordered me 
in the boat, and we rowed off to the French frigate. The 
Consul went on board, and I was called. They. explain- 
ed the trouble to the commander, who replied, “I fear 
Captain that should I punish your man, when I returned 
to France, I shall lose my epaulettes. No! Captain if 
you wish your man punished, you must take him to St. 
Thomas where there is an American Man-of-War”. 
Meeting with no success in this direction, the Consul 
decided to take me on shore, and imprison me in the fort. 
Here I remained several days, when the Captain came on 
shore and endeavored to persuade me to agree on some 
terms. I would not accept any of his offers, “But this I 
will do,” I said, “If you will draw up an instrument in 
writing releasing me from paying the damages done to the 
boat, and signed by the Consul and yourself, I will return 
to the vessel and go to work. To this he agreed. Two 
writings were drawn up, the Captain kept one and gave 
me the other. 

From Guadaloupe we were sent to St. Thomas to 
wait for orders. Judging we should be there about two 
weeks, the Captain set us to work refitting ship. On a 
Saturday while ratteling down the fore-top-mast rigging, 
the 2nd. mate called me to clear up decks. And as I 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 107. 

descended, I accidently let fall some rattling rope which 
struck him on the head. Looking up, and knowing 
from whence it came, he swore, saying he would settle 
with me when I came down. Having a spike in my 
hand I threw it at him, but luckily missed, and stuck in 
the deck. As I jumped from the rail he made for me, a 
scuffle followed, when the Captain stepped in between, 
parted us, and ordered the mate to go aft, and me for- 
ward. During the afternoon a boat had come alongside 
of the ship with gin, which was plentiful and cheap, and I 
bought two bottles. Before the difficulty above mention- 
ed, I had treated the crew and second mate to a drink. 
After supper, we stationed ourselves on the forecastle 
deck with a bottle, and becoming nearly intoxicated, we 
concluded to give a vocal concert. We sang almost 
every song we knew, when as it was getting late, the 
Captain sent the cook forward requesting us to bring our 
entertainment to a close, as he wanted to sleep. “If he 
can not sleep let him stay awake,” we told the cook. 
Continuing our concert, the Captain, two mates, and 
cook came forward with the irons. Endeavoring to se- 
cure us, a fight followed. They first tackled Jack, who 
knocked the mate down. I drew my knife and started 

4 

for the second mate. He ran around the hatch, I after 
him. Thinking to catch him by crossing the hatch, but 
forgetting it was only covered with a tarpaulin, I made a 
jump, and when I struck the tarpaulin, immediately dis- 
appeared in the hold. I fell about, twelve feet, struck on 


io8. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


the stone ballast, and cut a gash on my breast two inches 
long. The scar of which I wear to day. Recovering 
from my shock, I soon regained the deck, and finding we 
had been victorious, Jack and I began to make threats. 
The officers, fearing we would put them into execution, 
fired a gun, (which is a signal for help) and soon the of- 
ficers of the fort came on board. We two were ordered 
in the boat, carried to the fort, and secured. The next 
morning the Captain sent his boat for us, and we were 
released. 

After breakfast w r e asked permission to go shore. “I 
will not allow you to go, ’ ’ replied the Captain “Have 
we not done our duty captain? There are no better 
men on the vessel, and we always do our work w r ell,” I 
said. “That may be so," replied the Captain, but if you 
go on shore you will return drunk, and then raise the 
devil.” “Upon our honor, Captain, we will come on 
board sober, ’ ’ we promised. He then gave us permission. 
True to our promise, we came on board the next morning 
sober men, and after that, had no more trouble. 

After remaining there fourteen days, orders came to 
go to SanDomingo on the island of Hayti. There we 
loaded with molasses, and sailed for New York. We 
made the trip in seventeen days. When we arrived, the 
negro cook had me arrested, which cost me altogether 
nearly $100.00. I remained in New York several weeks 
enjoying myself to my heart’s content. I then shipped 
as 2nd mate in the bark “May Flower," for Rotterdam, 




SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 1 09. 

Holland. She was loaded with heavy machinery, many 
cases being on deck, which made her top heavy, and it 
was a long time before they could get a crew. She had 
three crews; but all fearing to risk crossing the ocean, 
with such a cargo, deserted, or refused to comply with 
their contract. I was one of the fourth crew. We made 
the trip with favorable weather in forty seven days; arriv- 
ing there on the 3rd. of July. The -next day we went on 
shore to celebrate the “Fourth ". On the morning of the 
8th., I returned to the vessel. The Captain being pro- 
voked at my prolonged absence, said, “this is a nice time 
to come on board!” ,, There is no need to multiply words 
Captain,” I replied, “If you do not like it you can pay 
me what is due me, and we can soon dissolve our agree- 
ment”. We then went before the American Consul and 
explained the trouble to him. The Captain paid me my 
wages, and gave me my discharge, and I then took my 
clothes and left. 

Rotterdam, I found to be a beautiful city. The 
streets were kept as clean as the floors of houses. The 
port was full of ships — their own being as fine as those of 
any nation. I remained in Rotterdam three weeks, and 
while there, spent the last dollar which I had received in 
the slave trade, and was five dollars in debt. 

Failing (on account of my transaction with the con- 
sul) to procure a berth in an American ship, I shipped in 
a Holland brig, (the Uanniemaria) a galley yacht, brig 
rigged of 400 tons burden, and bound for Dantzic Prussia. 


I IO. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


We loaded there with lumber bound for Bordeaux, 
France. Coming down the English Channel, we stop- 
ped at the Isle of Wight. While there I feigned being- 
sick, was paid off, and sent to the hospital. When the 
brig sailed I recovered. The American Consul procured 
me a berth on a French brig bound for Brest, I received 
a half-month’s advance. Sailing down the English Chan- 
nel the wind came ahead. We put in to Fowey, a few 
miles from Plymouth, where I deserted, and started to 
walk to Devenport. I arrived in the suberbs of the town 
on Sunday evening at sun-down, when I lost the use of 
my right leg. Being unable to walk I lay down by the 
roadside, some gentlemen with ladies came by and seeing 
me, said in an undertone, “That man is drunk.” I made 
known my complaint to them. They decided to take me 
to the Infirmary, which was but a short distance away. 
Being admitted there upon their representation, I found 
it to be a beautiful place. I was treated very kindly and 
skilfully, until I was completely restored, after which 
having remained there ten days, I was discharged. I 
then went over to Plymouth. Enquiring for a boarding 
house, I found one, but they would not take me in. I 
went to another, but having no baggage,they also refused. 
I went to a third, and there I met with better success. 
I informed the proprietor that I was a sailor, and that I 
would like to board with him until I could get employ- 
ment. Having compassion on me, he took me in. Af- 
ter dinner we sat down fora conversation, and the follow- 


III. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

ing took place between us. “Were you ever in a man- 
of-war?” “yes, sir,” “I have been in both American and 
Chilian service” “Would you like to enlist in the Eng- 
lish navy. “Yes, sir” “Then it would be necessary for 
you to hail from some port in England: as foreigners are 
not taken into the English service.” “Very well then, I 
will hail from Liverpool.” The next morning he went 
with me to a shipping office. When we arrived he in- 
formed the enrolling officer, “Here is a man who wants 
to enlist.” “Are you a seaman?" asked the officer. 
“Yes sir,” I answered. I was then shown into an ad- 
joining room, where I was examined physically by the 
surgeon, pronounced “sound, ” and enlisted. The third 
day after, I was sent on board “The Queen,” a receiving 
ship, of 120 guns. After being on her a month, I was 
detailed on board the “St. Vincent,” an 84 line of battle 
ship, lying at Portsmouth. From her I was sent on 
board the St. Tarr, a steam frigate lying at Sheerness on 
the Thames, where I remained ten days. Thence to 
Woolwick dock yard on board the Grampas, commanded 
by Sir. Byron Martin, where she was being fitted out. In 
three months she was completed, and sailed for Valparaiso 
Chili. On the way we stopped at Portsmouth and Ply- 
mouth, and then sailed for SanSalvador or Bahia, Brazil. 
We remained at Bahai several days, and left there in the 
night bound for Riojaneiro. When a few miles from 
shore, a squall struck the ship, and six men who were on 
the main yard fell over board, and four of them were 


U2. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


drowned. The day before we reached Riojaneiro, Mr, 
Guildford, a mid -shipman, son of Lord Guildford, falling 
from the rim of the fore top, striking the swinging boom, 
fell overboard. We succeeded in getting him, but b}^ the 
fall he had fractured his skull, and died a few hours af- 
terwards. We remained in Riojaneiro several days, and 
then sailed to Valparaiso. When nearing Cape Horn we 
encountered several gales. The Grampas was a very 
heavy rigged ship, which made her top heavy. During 
a gale we could not carry enough sail to be of any use, 
and were compelled to let her scud, or lie to. We were 
five weeks attempting to round the Cape. In that time 
we encountered many heavy gales accompanied by rain, 
hail, and snow. One night I remember when in about 
68° South a heavy gale swept down upon us accompanied 
as usual with snow and hail, and in addition great balls 
as of fire that fell like stars. It was w T ith difficulty that 
the officers could keep anyone on deck. And they them- 
selves several times took refuge in the cabin. We all 
thought the world had come to an end, and expected 
every minute to hear Gabriel blow his trumpet. The 
whole crew were terrorized, and all feared every moment 
to be blown to atoms, or find a grave in the surging deep. 
The storm lasted for several hours, and then abated. No 
one was hurt. 

After a long and tedious passage of 120 days, we ar- 
rived at Valparaiso. Our provisions were getting short, 
and the morning we sailed around Reef Topsail Point 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 113. 

into the harbor we consumed the last crum of bread for 
breakfast. We had bread dust only for 3 meals, eating it 
with our cocoa. While there the officers concluded to 
reduce the spars in the ship. Every mast was cut down. 
Every yard shortened, and sail cut to fit. This consum- 
ed several weeks and when completed we sailed for Callao 
Peru. From there to San Franciso, Cal. and then to 
Honolulu, Hawaii. From there we went toOtaheite one 
of the Society Islands. 

We had been on the vessel ten months without any 
vacation. And when we arrived there, they allowed us 
only sundown liberty, on account of France and Otaheite 
being at war and as the French had captured the town it 
was contrary to their law to admit any person on shore 
after dark. 




















• • 

' 




' 
























































- ■ 




* 


V 






i s 6 . 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME, 


CHAPTER VIL 

- ■ 

WHAI/K FISHING v 

While on liberty I met the second and third mates of 
the American whaling ship “Scotland,’’ with whom I 
was acquainted. They invited me to go on board and 
take supper with them. While there Mr. Mtillin the 
third mate persuaded me to desert the“Grainpas” and go 
with them, as they were in need of five men, promising 
to secrete me w 7 here I would not be found. I debated 
the subject with myself for some time for I knew if 
caught, the penalty would be severe. However, he pre- 
sented the subject in such a favorable light, saying the 
Work was not hard, and the renumeration oftentimes con- 
siderable, that I finally agreed to undertake the risk. 
After dark he took the head out of a cask called 
a “butt,” placing it by the foremast on four blocks 
so as to give ventilation, and coils of rope were 
thrown on the top of the cask. At four in the 
morning I placed myself under it. There I remained all 
day, and in the evening came out on deck. The follow- 
ing morning I hid myself again, I began to think I was 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 1 1 7 . 

# *• 

imposing a punishment upon myself as severe as I might 
have recieved on board the “Grampas”. In the evening 
I again came on deck. I learned from the mate that a 
search had been instituted, and that every vessel in the 
harbor had been examined with the exception of the 
“Scotland”. The next morning, I imprisoned myself 
again. The mate, seeing the searching party coming off 
to the ship, knocked on the cask, and informed me that 
the vessel was about to be searched, and to keep as quiet 
as possible. I soon heard the splash of the oars; and the 
officers of the “Grampas” come on board, and address 
our Captain, “A man has deserted from our ship, and we 
have searched every vessel in the harbor but yours, and 
have failed to find him. Surely he must be on this vessel 
as it is impossible to pass the French lines”. I will give 
you liberty to search, said the Captain ; and if he is 011 
board, I know nothing of it. They then commenced and 
pryed into every conceivable place where they thought it 
possible for a man to secrete himself. They even took 
the hatches off and searched the hold. During this pro- 
■ceedure the Lieutenant leaned against the cask which I 
was in. Satisfying themselves that I was not on board, 
the officer thanked the Captain for his kindness in allow- 
ing them to make the search, replaced everything accord- 
ing to the conditions of the Captains permission to search 
and then departed, and I breathed a sigh of relief. After 
the search, in fear of being detected, I would not venture 
on deck during the day. The vessel was to sail on Thurs- 


1 18. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

day, but on Wednesday the French authorities supposing 
she had been used in smuggling powder to the Natives, 
seized her and did not allow her to leave port until Satur- 
day. All the time I remained imprisoned, except at 
night. The mate supplied me with provisions and wa- 
ter, but I think I never suffered such punishment in my 
life, before or afterwards. 

On Saturday morning at day-light the crew were 
called to get the vessel underway. By breakfast time we 
had run down to a small island called Amas. The mate 
ordered the men to breakfast and then came forward lif- 
ted up the cask, and I came from my seclusion. The 
Captain feigning not knowing I was on board until then 
seeing me come out, said, “You are the man who caused 
my vessel to be searched. I think I had better carry you 
back.” and to the men he said, “Brace up the yards, and 
bring the ship to the wind. 1 ’ “No Captain, replied the 
mate, we need him.” “All right then, go and get your 
breakfast. What is your name? “Wm. Harden, I an- 
swered” sir, “Why did you not bring three or four men 
with you?”he asked. “I did not know I was coming my- 
self, or I might.” I replied. “Mr. Harden,” he said, 
since you are with us, it is necessary that you sign ar- 
ticles for the voyage or the cruise.” I signed for the 
cruise. After breakfast we ran down to New Chasevy, 
another small island, there shipped three men, and sailed 
for the whaling grounds. We cruised on the off shore 
grounds three months without seeing the spout of a 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. .U9 

whale. I being in the One hundred and fiftieth lay, 
begun to think the business not a very profitable one. 
About three o’clock 011 a Sunday after noon one of the 
men from the four tops gallant yard sang out, “their she 
blows;’’ “ Which a way?” asked the Captain. “Two 
spouts on the starboard bow, sir. Taking his glass he 
said, , ‘ Yes there are two iperns whales. Hurry boys? 
get your boats down. <{ Four boats were lowered, and 
pulled for the whales; we being in the head boat. The 
ship was left in charge of a ship keeper. The wind was 
blowing fresh at the time, and there was a heavy sea. 
We pulled within about fifty yards of the whales w T hen 
they went down. There were two of them, and very 
large ones, which old sailors calls “sogs.” “Back your 
cars.” said the mate, they’ll be up soon. They remained 
under water about twenty minutes and then came up a 
little a head of us. “Pull aw T ay a stroke or two,” said 
the mate, and to the harpoonesman, “stand up with 
your harpoon, and give it to him.” As soon as the har» 
poon struck him a heavy sea and wind togather, threw 
the beat screws the whale’s “small” close to his flukes 
He settled a little, gave a tremendous flounce, w r hich 
threw the beat and us with it ten or fifteen feet in the air. 
When w r e came dow r n the beat w T as broken in tw T o and v T e 
cveitcaid. I succeced in catching hold of the mast and 
sail, which scon drifted apart. The rest clung to the ends 
of the beat. The second mate came dowrn with his boat. 
Never mind us, Mr. Parker, said our mate, “go and save 


120. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


that whale.” The third mate, Mr. Mullin, soon came 
down, “go and help Mr. Parker,, Mr. Mullin get that 
whale, never mind us, we can make out,” said our mate. 

Had I not succeeded in catching hold of the mast I 
would no doubt been drowned. I thought I had expierence 
enough with whaling and wished myself on board the 
ship. The Captain then came down with his boat- 
took us in picked up the fragments of our boat, and rowed 
back to the ship. We then lowered another boat, and 
pulled to the win’ard for the other whale. We chased 
him until sundown, but failing to catch him, returned to 
the vessel. When we returned, they had the first whale 
killed, and hauled alongside the ship, and made fast to 
the stern, it measured from its head to tip of its tail, 
eighty feet. 

After supper, a watch was stationed armed with a 
long chopping spade, to keep away sharks, which were 
very numerous. Early the next morning preperations 
were made for cutting into the whale. The Captain, 
\yith a long chopping spade, stands on the rail, and sev- 
ers the head from the body. The head is then made fast 
to the mizzen rigging. The Captain, with his spade cuts 
through the blubber, making a slice four feet wide. Then 
a man is lowered down on the whale in what is called a 
monkey rope, armed with a long boarding knife three 
feet long, and begins to cut into the whale as far as he 
can reach, severing the blubber from the carcass. A 
tackle is then lowered with a hook, which is fastened to 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


I 2 I . 


the blubber. When hove away the blubber tears off in 
long sheets, called blanket pieces. The man with his 
chopping spade continues to cut in a spiral line around. 

The blubber is hove up to the mast head. After this 
a new hold is made by a second tackle. The strain then 
being taken off the first, the sheet is lowered on deck, 
and cut up into pieces about 2 feet square, called “Horse 
Pieces,'’ which are then carried into the“Blubber Room” 
between decks. This process is continued until all the 
blubber is stripped from the carcass. After which, the 
carcass, which is of no value, is cast adrift. 

The head is then brought along side. The Captain 
as before stands on the gun ’ale rail with his spade and 
severs the “junk,” (which is a mass of blubber in the 
jaws and head) from the case. He then separates the 
under jaw from the case, and the jaws are hoisted on 
deck. The case is then hoisted even with the rail, the 
top is cut off, and the oil taken from it in buckets. This 
oil is called “Head matter.” It is the clear Spermaceti 
oil. Their teeth are then taken from the jaws, the junk 
is stripped off and the bone is thrown overboard. The 
junk forms a second grade oil. Parts of the teeth are of 
the best ivory, and weigh from half a pound to a pound 
and a half each. They are, in maturity. 22 in number. 

AH being ready, the process of trying out the oil 
from the blubber is commenced. Two large pots holding 
from 80 to 90 gallons are placed aft the fore hatch and 
securely fastened. The blubber is brought up as needed. 


122. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. * 


The “horse pieces” are laid on “Mincing Blocks,” and 
are cut down to the skin in thin slices. These are thrown 
into the pots, and fires are kindled beneath. 

Oftentimes the try workers will call out, “Book 
Leaves!” meaning, they want the blubber sliced thinner: 
as the finer it is cut the more oil they get, and with less 
cooking. 

After it is tried out, it is run into a copper cooler, and 
then run by means of a long hose into barrels placed in the 
hold. The^spermaceti, which is worth twice as much as 
the other oils, is brought to a boil so as to prevent spoil- 
ing by decomposition, and placed in casks marked, “Head 
Matter. ’ ’ 

When the whale oil was completely tried out, it filled 
one hundred and forty-eight barrels. It was one of the 
largest species. They yield any where from 15 to 150 bar- 
rels. The whale oil barrels holds about 32 gallons. 

The day after capturing our first whale, we sight- 
ed a school of them not far away. The men were 
called from the mast heads, boats lowered and out of the 
school, we captured five. They were not so large as the 
sperm whales, each making about 30 barrels of oil. We 
succeeded in filling seven hundred and eighty barrels be- 
fore our fires were drawn. Which was considered a 
“Good Fare of Oil.” 

It will be of interest to some of my readers to learn 
some of the peculiarities of these wonderful creatures. 
There are several species. They are mammals (suckling 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. I 23. 

their young.) One species are provided with a strainer 
in their throats, somewhat like hair cloth. They are 
found where their food gathers on the surface of the wa- 
ters, covering acres. It appears as a red scum. This 
they skim off the water with wide open mouth. This 
species are taken chiefly for their whalebone. Their oil is 
of a low grade. 

The sperm whale feeds upon a substance called 
“Squid”. It is a low form of life, and is said to grow 
sometimes as large as the whale itself. I never saw it, 
except in pieces vomited up by the dying w r hale. The 
general plan of whaling is as follows; watches are station- 
ed at mast heads to keep a .strict look out. As soon as 
they see any signs of a whale, the notice is given. Often- 
times there is only perceptible the wake or splash, when 
they call out “There she makes white water!” “Where 
away?” is invariably asked by the Captain. They then give 
the direction. “Keep a good look out every one is the order. 
The whale often rises nearly out of the water and makes 
a plunge, when the look outs call, “There she breeches!” 
When near enough to see the spout or spray, they call 
out, “There she blows!” The ship is then steered in the 
direction, and everything arranged preparatory to lower- 
ing boats. When near enough, if practicable, we en- 
deavor to get our vessel to the windward, then lower our 
boats, and if very far off, hoist our sail, if not we drift. 
When within proper distance, should we be using sail we 
take it down and work the beat with the oars. When very 


124. SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

close, we peek our oars, and use short paddles, so as to 
make as little noise as possible. Should it be a Sperm 
whale we approach him “head on'’, or from behind be- 
cause his eyes are situated laterally; and he can see on 
the sides only. The “Right whale'’ we approach either 
on the side or behind him: as he can only see straight be- 
fore. When close enough the harpooner takes the first 
opportunity which he offers to fasten him. 

Possibly he may have discovered us before we were 
within reach, when he will go down, but will come to 
the surface again not far from where he disappeared 
They seldom remain under water more than twenty 
minutes, at times a half an hour, and an hour is the 
longest I ever knew one to stay under at a time. I was 
told by old whalers that they have been known to 
remain under an hour and a quarter. We generally 
form an opinion about where he will reappear, and with 
the harpoon ready, fasten, should he come to the 
surface near enough. When struck, the whale endeavor- 
ing to elude his captors, swims off at a tremendupus 
speed, towing the boat after him. I have been towed 
.several times, I would venture to say, at the rate of twenty 
miles an hour. This was the only part about wlialeing 
I enjoyed. When the harpooned whale thus starts, we 
take care that the line does not fire on the logger head. 
i\fter he has swam quite a distance and begins to get 
tired, he will dive, and make as sailors say, “A Sounding 
We then stand ready to pay out the rope until we think it 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. I 25. 

is going to be exhausted; when we attach a buoy, and 
throw it overboard. The rope is generally 200 fathoms 
long, and he will oftiines take it all, and sink the buoy 
many feet. We watch, and as soon as it comes to the 
surface, immediately row to it, and take it in, and as 
the whale gradually rises, coil the rope again in the tub. 
This we are oftimes compelled to do more than once. 

The harpooner stands ready with a lance, and 
should we be near enough when the whale rises to the 
surface, throws it, striking him below the fin, which is a 
vital spot. The rope is then given a sudden jerk, which 
withdraws the lance. Then we must take care to keep 
out of his way: for he will flounce, and lash the water in 
every direction with his huge flukes, and oftimes make 
a dash for the boat. He may again strike off at tremen- 
dous rate, towing us for miles. Several times I have 
been towed nearly out of sight of our ship, Generally they 
also take us round and round in circles. When weak 
and exhausted, he will disappear beneath the water. 
After these repeated efforts to escape, and by the contin- 
ual loss of blood occasioned by the cut from the lance, 
he will become exhausted, and lav motionless on the 
surface of the water. We now approach, (very cautious- 
ly however) and to satisfy ourselves that he is dead 
thrust a lance in both eyes. If after this operation he 
makes no motion, we proceed to take him in tow. 

A striking feature about a whales death, is, that he 
always turns his head to the west to die. Oftimes I 


126 . 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


have helped to chase a whale a half a day and failed to 
get near enough to throw a harpoon; when night ap- 
proaching, we have been compelled to give it up and re- 
turn to the ship. 

When the whale dives, the keeper on the ship watch- 
es his return to the surface. We, in our boats, especially 
when there is a heavy roll, cannot see the whale, but 
watch closely the vessel. Should he come to the surface 
forward of the ship, the keeper will make us a signal by 
letting the flying jib run down; and by this we know he 
is forward of the ship. Should he reappear aft, he will 
let the spanker run down. And thus by various signals 
we know where the whale is located. 

Having been on the cruise three months and a half, 
we left the whaling grounds for Upola, a port on one of 
the Samoan Islands, where we arrived in seven days, and 
remained three weeks. 

The cruise being up, I was called by the Captain, 
who said, “Mr. Harding” your cruise is up, but I would 
like you to go with us again.” I said, “I believe I do not 
care to go, Captain, for I received a full satisfaction the 
first time we lowered.” “If you will consent,” he replied, 
I will send the old ship keeper forward, and give you his 
place, as he knows very little about working the ship, 
and then your lay will be the ninetieth.” To this I 
agreed. And in three weeks, we were again on the whal- 
ing grounds. 

We cruised several days before seeing a spout. Af- 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


127. 


ter which a man from the mast head sang out, “There 
she blows!” “Whereaway?” asked the Captain. “Right 
ahead!” “What are they?” “Sperm whales, I think 
sir.” “The boats were lowered. I then took my station at 
the mast head as ship keeper. When they had captured 
two, I ran the ship down close to them, and hove her to, 
with main topsail aback. The whales were then towed 
alongside, and a process similar to the one before described 
was gone through. The oil tried out of the two whales 
made seventy five barrels. Shortly afterwards we cap- 
tured a sixty- four barrel whale. When out about two 
and one half months, I was taken with scorbutus (or 
scurvy,) and suffered so severely that I could not do any 
work. I continued to grow worse, until the Captain 
thought I would die. It seemed to me that my flesh 
would almost putrify. And as there was no cure for me 
at sea, the Captain said. “The cruise is nearly up, and 
we are going to Sidney, New South Wales. I fear you 
will not live until we get there. We are in sight of one 
of the Tonga islands, and I think the best thing I can 
do for you, is to put you 011 shore here There is a mis- 
sionary on the island, and some civilization, to what ex- 
tent I do not know, for I was never on the island. I 
think you will be in no danger. I will make out your 
accounts and pay you, and leave you in hands where you 
will be taken care of. I don’t want to have to bury you 
at sea. I replied, “Do as you think best, Captain. ” To die on 
one of the islands in the broad Pacific, away from friends 


128 . 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


and with those whose language I could not understand, 
were thoughts that almost banished my last rays of hope. 
Yet I knew I could not live on the vessel, so I was forced 
to accept the last chance of recovery. They ran the ves- 
sel close to land, and hove her too. My accounts were 
made out, and I was paid. I was lowered into the boat, 
with my clothes, (for I could not walk,) and the mate, 
with part of the crew, carried me on shore. 







illE^in ^ jwimw 1 


- ■■ ■■ 

IPM 


,' . . 


■ 


|lii 


/>'S*j 

Smrs^vj: ssci»$s 




,A 

rtf; ft m? ' '' ' V H' : K^- ;C'’'V S< 5 C^ 


ts W«* »®'i 

'"^ »v * ,, 

x s * >;; x ^5' x ^' ; '^\<'< x |^ ; xX i x 4'< X. 

5 ®f - \ ^ ;: " '; : l#i <*;.J 

. 






. • " 


■i 

t 

■i 




~ w.#W 
NV $$ \*. 


^ ^ -aj&N ^ •W^'W 

■W # >* « $*:• 

* *>- **' » .<$ * •>«• 

4.N&C * 

♦-'Stf** * «*'«* <*"< 

> NS ♦ W W >*.' **• '#*' •■** 

; v:-ICM^* < '* *x .x>^ •*»• x^'' ■** v 

x ' lllpw ■**• ■* J* **. ** ** '** s 

*% * * v V «* ** **-'"*?' 
■«•»'-•* >** •#“' *$ 
* V ** '**'** T 

«• * ^ s* ,*r v i 

rjPjpgy*- * « »v »» «# 

fc j» ■**.- * .>».•* 

^ * •« v .« ^ ' 

*’&'*'* »*.v $»' '^'^fff^|j 

n* ♦ '« «*. ^ 

flm* *'*»*<* ** -■■#4flPr 

**W * ** * *'-«*l£3^- 

gsB* »* «■ <*x 5 T* * 

gJjaB 1 * «>*, » * * i.. «* ■ 

§eS|||^'« *HMfr <# ^ »> _j^ 


iff: XSKJgse 


; 

x^W 




m 


* v 


H ..'>’ " ; 


a 



X 3 T • 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


CHAPTER VIII 

AN ENTERTAINMENT BY ABORIGINESE* 

When we reached land I was placed on a rude 
stretcher; and carried to a settlement. At first the na- 
tives could not understand what we wanted, but finally 
some of them motioned for us to follow, and they led our 
little party to a small hut. The crew laid me down, and 
a white man came out, who I afterward learned was 
Wm. Allen, the only person on the Island who could 
speak English. In the conversation, he said, “Has this 
man any contagious disease?’ ’ The mate replied, “No he 
has Scurvy and Asthma". We want to leave him here to 
recover, as we are afraid he cannot live aboard of the 
ship until we get to Australia.’’ Then turning to me he 
said, “If you recover , and live here, will you abide by 
the rules of the Island?’ ’I told him, “Yes. "You can leave 
him then, he said, “and we will do all we can for him.” 

I was then carried into the hut, and the people en- 
deavored to make me as comfortable as they could. 

Mr. Allen was a man sixty years of age. And I learn- 


132. SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

ed from him that he had been on the Island since a boy 
thirteen years of age. He came there on a whaling ship 
with his father, which by some mishap, struck on a rock, 
which finally tore a hole in her bottom. The crew had 
scarcely time to get any provisions out of the ship; but 
lauded on this Island. (Prober’s by English name - 
Menofoo by native). After being on shore two hours, 
all the crew, (except this boy, who was spared by the 
Chief’s orders, ) were massacred. The high chief taking 
a fancy to him, took him to his home, and raised him as 
his own child. When he was nineteen, the chief gave 
him his daughter in marriage. When twenty-two, his 
father-in-law died, and he was promoted as high chief, 
2nd. in authority on the Island. 

There are four principall slands of the group, Tong- 
ataboo, Tootowilloo, Vervow, and Menofoo, (Probers) 
where I was landed. 

Mr. Allen, being a man high in authority, had me 
nicely cared for. The Island had been Evangelized and 
civilized through protection and further aid of Mr. Allen 
by Messrs Williams and Lent: two Wesleyan Mis- 

sionaries from London who came there, several years 
previous to my landing, when Mr. Allen who was now 
sixty was twenty-seven years old, they built a church 
and translated into the language the new testament 
and prayer book for them. They remained on the Island 
eight years, and then left the work witli Mr. Allen. From 
there they went to, and did like glorious work on the other 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


133 - 


three neighboring Islands. Mr. Williams while engaged 
in like noble effort on Noo Chaever, was killed and eaten 
by the natives who were cannibals. Mr. Allen hada fam- 
ily of eight children (four boys and four girls.) 

Prober’s Island is about ninety miles in cir- 
cumference, and posessed, except at the S. W. end 
of a perpendicular rock bound coast. The only place 
one can land is in the extreme Southern portion, which 
is low and sandy. The medium elevation is about thirty 

m/ 

feet. The land is fertile, and the principal productions 
are bread fruit, yams, cocoa-nut, oranges and other 
tropical fruits. The climate is mild and healthful. In 
the morning there is a gentle breeze from land, which is 
followed in the afternoon by one from sea, making it 
very pleasant. There were about fourteen hundred in- 
habitants on the Island. They were a fine looking peo- 
ple, of dark brown complexion, and dressed themselves 
in light clothing, and the ladies fond of floral adornment, 
were inclined to be proud. In the center of the Island, 
was a volcano, which, I was told, had been inactive for 
more than a century. But during my stay I heard slight 
rumbling, and felt a few slight shocks. I was afraid; but 
no one else seemed to be in any fear, and the}" told me 
there was no reason to apprehend danger. 

Another feature of this Island is a large lagoon, 
evidently in the old crater of an extinct volcano, which 
has no visible outlet for its motionless waters. On one 
side of this lagoon is a cave, which, by diving below 


134- SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

i 

the waters, can be entered, and the dry land reached. 
It is the phenomou which Byron took the poetic 
licence, in his poem. “The Island,” to transfer to Too- 
bonai, Neuha’s refuge for her mutineer lover, Torquil. 

The day after I landed was Sunday. Before sunrise 
I noticed the people were in motion; and upon inquiry I 
learned that they were going to service at the Chapel, 
which was a short distance from my friends home. They 
told me they would be gone for an hour; and that I need 
fear nothing 

In all they had four services on Sunday. The time was 
announced by the beating of a kind of drum, made 
from a hollow log, and headed at both ends. Every day 
with the exception of Saturday, they attended a religious 
service. They were very attentive to their devotions, 

V 

and nearly everyone on the island availed themselves of 
the opportunities. Tuesday was general class meeting 
day. And a majority of the people assembled on that oc- 
casion. All the food they ate on Sunday was prepared 
the day previous, and not a fire was kindled on Sunday 
for cooking purposes, nor pipes lighted to smoke the peo- 
ple holding it as a stimulant inconsistant with the Sa- 
cred character of the Lord’s Day. They gave me fruits 
principally, to eat. 

After being there ten days, I began to improve, and 
on the twentieth day was able to walk a little. After I 
had recovered sufficiently, Mr. Allen took me with him 
to church. Their form of worship was similar to the 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


x 35- 


Methodist. But not knowing anything about the lan- 
guage,! cannot give a discription of what they said. But 
the singing, and the wonderful fervor of the 700 men, 
women and children, who assembled in the bamboo 
church so impressed me as of the Divine spirit, that again 
and again I used to have to get up and go out to quench 
the internal impulse to fall down on my knees and ask 
God to forgive my sins. 

I was never treated better than when under the care 
of the hospitable Mr. Allen, and in a month Iliad entirely 
recovered. 

In a few r weeks I began to grow tired of the island 
and anxiously awaited an opportunity to leave. Day af- 
ter day I closely watched the horizon. Occasionly I 
would see a sail, but none came near enough for me to 
signal. I had been on the island four months and a half, 
when the whaling ship, “Boy of Warren,’’ Conn. Capt. 
Luce, hove too off the island, and several of us wont off 
to her in canoes. He said his cook had left him, having 
run away on one of the Navigator Islands. And asked 
me if I would go as cook. He offered me $15.00 per 
month and the 200th “lay’ ’which I readily accepted. The 
mate then rowed ashore and taking my clothes — thanking 
my friends on the island for their kindness, and bidding 
them a long farewell, we rowed off to the ship. 

I have always felt a deep sense of gratitude towards 
Mr. Allen, and my thoughts often lead me back to that 
Island in the Pacific. Doubtless long years ago he has 


136. SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

gone to his eternal rest; but the good he has accomplish- 
ed will always remain, and grow. And his influence 
with the natives of the Pacific Isles will last, and be trans 
mitted down to the last circles of time. Since this event 
in my life, I have always had a great regard for mission- 
aries, and the missionary cause; and have endeavored to 
support and encourage this honorable humanitarian, and 
best of all entirprises. 

I signed articles for a three months cruise. We then 
sailed for the coast of Japan. And after cruising three 
months with very ‘ ‘poor luck,” we sailed to Pleasant 
Island in the North Pacific, where I was discharged. 
Remaining there only three days, I shiped in the “Matil- 
da of London,” another whaling ship, and sailed for the 
Ladrone or Marianne Islands. We had been in the 
South Pacific two weeks without meeting with any suc- 
cess, when one day a man from the mast head sang out, 
“There she blows.” “What do vou make them out to be? 
asked the Captain. “Sperm whales, ”1 think, sir and are 
not very far from shore.” Running down closer we 
made preparations to lower. The natives on the 
island were savages. And as the whales had then gone 
into a bay, we armed ourselves with rifles before ventur- 
ing too close to land. As we approached, the natives 
came off in canoes armed with bows and arrows. But 
seeing we were armed, did not molest us. We captured 
two whales, and towed them off to the ship. At night 
an armed watch was stationed to guard for fear the na- 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 1 37. 

tives would attack us. In three days we had the oil 
tried out of them, and meeting with no further success, 
sailed for New Ireland. On our way we fell in with sev- 
eral whales, lowered and captured one. Failing to make 
up a fare of oil at the last place, we sailed in the direction 
of the Caroline Islands, hoping there to meet with suc- 
cess. After three days sail with good wind and clear sky 
we sighted one of the islands. Being in need of a change 
of diet, principally vegetable, which is very essential as a 
preventative to scurvy, the captain thought this a favor- 
able opportunity to procure it, ran the vessel close to the 
island, hove her to, and brought her within about a 
mile of the land. 

Whaling ships in the Pacific ocean always carry a 
supply of knives, pins, tobacco, beads, and rings, which 
they exchange with the natives for cocoa nuts, oranges 
and other tropical fruits. Three years previous to our 
arrival, a ship's company, while tradig there, were killed 
by the natives, and the ship burned. The English gov- 
ernment, in order to suppress such depredations, sent an 
armed vessel, and killed a number of the people, and 
since that time they had not dared to interfere with white 
men who wished to go on shore. 

In a little while about fifty of the natives came off to 
the ship in canoes. The men were called down from the 
masts armed w T ith pistols, and stationed along the rails, 
as guards. My place was on the top gallant forecastle 
deck) with orders not to allow a native to come on the 


t$8. SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

rail. They came along side of the ship and the trading 
began . 

I, as well as the rest of the crew, had become dis- 
couraged at our poor luck, and being dissatisfied, had 
fully made up my mind to leave the ship at the first op- 
portunity. While most of the sailors were trading, there 
were several canoes lying off our port bow, and wishing 
to get a better look, I beckoned for one of them to pad- 
dle towards the vessel. After understanding my motions 
they did as I requested. Thinking this would be a fa- 
vorable opportunity to leave the ship, I beckoned for 
them to come nearer still. When they were fully under 
the bow, I climbed over the rail and let myself dow T n by 
the chains into the canoe, in which were two men. 
For fear of being seen by the crew, I lay down, and cov- 
ered myself with two mats, which the natives had for 
sale. They immediately began to paddle towards the 
shore, and when a short distance from the ship, gave an 
Indian veil, and the rest of the canoes followed to the 
shore. I wished myself on board, but it was now too 
late, and with all the nerve I could summons, I remained 
calm, and waited for developments. We were not long 
in reaching the Island. A great many of the natives 
soon congregated and eyed me critically from head to foot 
I watched their peculiar antics with marked degree of at- 
tention. Some kept at a respectable distance, while 
other.-) more curious ventured near enough to touch me, 
and examine my clothes. Some were elated with joy, 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 1 39. 

while others by their countenance seemed to think me an 
apparition of bad omen, but none (whether from fear or 
curiosity) were malicious enough to attempt to do me 
any harm. From this fact, I began to take courage. 
After they had satisfied their curiosity, I was conducted 
(with the crowd following) to a large grove not far from 
shore. Here was a large bamboo shed and under it were 
assembled the king with his warriors and retinue of ser- 
vants. I was led before the king by a native, (whom I 
afterwards learned was high chief,) and motioned to sit 
down at his left. The king patted me on the head, smil- 
ed and seemed to be very funny. By this I knew they 
did not entertain any ill feeling towards me, which greatly 
strengthened my courage. I had brought with me my 
sheath knife, which was a pretty one, the hilt being in- 
laid with turtle shell of various hues. Taking it from 
the sheath, and showing it to him I replaced it, and tak- 
ing it with the belt, presented it to the king. He took 
it — examined it carefully, seemed exceedingly pleased, 
and patted me again on the head. By this act I was 
confident I had gained his good will. Sitting directly in 
front of us, and only a few feet distant, were several 
women who had musical instruments made from reeds 
resembling a zillaphone. With these they made a pecu- 
liar music, which was accompanied by a dance, consist- 
ing of graceful movements of the body. This was par- 
ticipated in by both men and women. 

The natives were dark brown in complexion, resemb- 


140. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


ling in physiognomy, the Chinese. The men were very 
muscular and broad shouldered; they had high cheek 
bones, and long black hair. The women were slender, 
and of a rather handsome physique. In complexion 
they were not so dark as the men. Their eyes were black 
and they also wore their hair long, the men and women 
were dressed alike. The only clothing they wore was a 
grass apron suspended from the waist, reaching to the 
knees. They were clean, and there was a pleasant frag- 
rance. After the dance, the king muttered some words; 
(which of course, I did not understand) and instantly one 
of the servants set off, and soon returned with a small 
basket, which he handed to the High Chief, who gave it 
to me. The basket contained a yam, a bread fruit, two 
bananas, and a piece of half cooked dog. My appetite 
was not the best, yet, out of courtesy, I ate the yam and 
bananas, but did not partake of the dog. 

After -finishing my repast, I re tun: ed the basket to 
the Chief. The meeting was then adjourned, and I was 
taken by the 2nd. Chief to his home. His hut, which 
was similar to the rest, was made of bamboo and the 
roof covered with thatching. The floor was covered with 
a matting made from a long grass which grows in boggy 
places on the Island. 

By this treatment, I felt persuaded they appreciated 
ny visit and were endeavoring to make it pleasant for 
ne. I remained with the Chief several days, and when 
[ liked occupied my time in exploring that part of the 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 14I. 

island, and in fishing. The name of the Island is Ascen- * 
sion; and it is the largest of the ten Island which form 
the group. I knew nothing of their language, which 
placed me at a great disadvantage; yet by signs and mo- 
tions, I succeeded in making myself understood. 

The Island was about thirty miles in diameter. The 
medium elevation is about forty feet, and at the extreme 
north, was a large hill nearly a hundred feet high. The 
land was rolling, and covered with luxuriant foliage and 
in many places there was a heavy growth of timber. The 
soil was fertile but more especially in the valleys, which 
was covered with a grass sod. Cocoanut trees grew in 
profusion along the shore, but strange to say, not one 
was seen in the interior. 

The natives subsisted on cocoanuts, oranges, bread 
fruits, yams, bananas, sugar-cane, and a vegetable they 
called, “tocar”, resembling our white potato; which they 
cultivated with success in the rich valleys. Dog meat 
was considered by them a delicacy, which they ate prin- 
cipally rare. 

They caught fish and turtles, which at certain sea- 
sons, were very plentiful. The Island was surrounded by 
a coral reef, about a mile from shore, and the intervening 
space, or lagoon, forms an elegant harbor. 

I soon learned that the kings name was Abaiah 
There were four tribes on the Island living amiably under 
the rule of this one king, who was also king of the whole 
group. The principal occupationsjof the men were build' 


142. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


in g canoes, fishing and cultivating their tocar. They 
also did the cooking (something seldom seen in a civiliz- 
ed country.) The women made mats from a grass, waist 
bands from the bark of of a tree called “curlow”, beads 
of coral; and busied themselves about a few household 
duties. Tropical fruits grew so abundantly that they sel- 
dom resorted to food that necessitated being cooked. 
When they did, it was done by the means of flat stones 
laid like a pavement and over these were kindled a fire. 
After nothing remained of the combutsible material but 
coals, and the stones were sufficently heated, they were 
cleanly swept, and what was to be cooked was placed 
thereon. Should it be a large fish, after being properly 
cleaned, it was placed on this crude hearth, and complete- 
ly envoi ved with several layers of bananna leaves. Over 
this was thrown sand or dirt, which effectually kept in 
the heat. In an hour or two it was uncovered, and the 
edible served smoking hot. They do not use condiments. 
After being there a week I began to know something of 
their manners and customs. I assisted the men in build- 
ing their canoes, and occasionally went with them 011 
fishing expeditions. We would often go to the small 
sand island about a mile from shore on which were to be 
found sea- turtles, and almost any number of eggs, which 
at certain seasons formed a staple article of diet. From 
the turtle shell they made beads, rings, knife handles, 
fish hooks, etc. 

Their small canoes or dug outs, which would com- 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


M3- 


fortly carry two, were made from the buts of large trees. 
Their war canoes which were about sixty feet long, were 
made on the same principle. The foundation, or keel 
was a long dug out, and the sides were raised by plank- 
ing; which was not nailed, but fastened by the means of 
a strong fiber from the “curlow.” The planking was 
drilled, and through the holes was passed this fiber which 
held it securly in position. In fact it was sewed similar 
to the way a shoemaker would put a patch on a shoe. To 
prevent the boat from leaking, the planking was grooved 
on its edge, the upper plank fitting in the groove of the 
lower, making a water-tight seam. There was no fram- 
ing in the canoe. They cut and sawed the trees by the 
means of tools which they obtained by trading with the 
whaling ships. They were provided with sail made from 
curlow which was woven or plaited by the women. One 
of these canoes would carry fifty or sixty men. They 
were very narrow, and when loaded, were very easily 
capsized. But to provide against this, they have an out 
rigger fore and aft attached to another canoe; which 
made them very able. When there was not sufficient 
wind, they propelled the canoe with long paddles. While 
I was there they were on friendly terms with the other 
Islanders and of course, did not engage in any warfare. 
This was not at all objectionable on my part. 

I had been with them two weeks, when one day a 
council was called. A great many had assembled, and I 
was motioned to attend. The king was seated as before 


T44. seventeen years from home, 

with his chief, his warriors, and his servants. I was some 
what confounded as I did not know its import. Possibly 
I thought, I had commited some offence contrary to their 
customs, for which they demanded a retribution. Howev- 
er I assumed a countenance as if nothing of significance 
was to be transacted, and entered the assembly, sitting in 
front of the king were three girls, whose ages I judge 
would not exceed sixteen. After we had been congregated 
a few minutes, a short conversation took place between the 
king and the chief. The second chief then pointed tcthe 
girls, and motioned me to select one. At first I did not 
understand the import of this, but after brief reflection, 
I concluded they wanted me. to select one as my wife, nor 
was I mistaken. Looking at them critically I pointed to 
one I thought prettiest. Whereupon the other two imme- 
diately left. I was then motioned to stand up, and she was 
beckond to come forward. My right hand was placed in 
hers and the chief then took a small vessel of oil, and 
anointed our head. He then muttered some words, and 
pronounced us I suppose with all solemnity of the occasion 
“Husband and Wife.” the musicians then played, a dance 
followed, and the bridal party gave a yell of congratula- 
tion. 

They had no wines for the occasions, but used as a 
substitute^ maceration of a root which was prepared and 
partaken of at every tribal ceremony, and called “Carver” 
The root was thoroughly washed, and then chewed by 
eight girls, (who had previously washed their mouths) in 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


145 - 


the immediate presence of the company. Then it was pla- 
ced in a large wooden bowl. When a sufficient quantity 
had been masticated, water was added, and in a few min- 
utes it was ready for use. It was served in small cups, 
beginning with the king. To drink this was very disgust 
ing; yet I did not refuse to partake; for fear I should give 
offence. Its immediate effect is semi stupefication. The 
king partook freely, and before the bridal party adjourned 
was nearly narcotized. After the drink had been served 
to all, the party adjourned. I then accompanied my 
bride to her father's home. The following day the natives 
began to build us a hut of bamboo, and having it finished 
in four days, we went to house keeping in a rude way. 
The only furniture our house contained was a bed made 
of matting. There was no floor, only what nature 
provided, the ground. In the center of the room was a 
fire place or hearth, but no chimney, the smoke gaining 
exit through an aperture in the roof. This we used only 
when we wanted to prepare a suitable meal, which was 
not more than once a day. Our victuals were prepared 
and brought to us. We soon became loving to each other, 
and lived very happily. She tried to teach me the lan- 
guage^nd in a short time I had mastered enough to make 
my wants better known. I have no reason to doubt that 
this woman loved me supremely — she was always ready to 
minister to my wants, — very attentive, and seemed al- 
ways glad and elated to meet me on my return home. 
Whatever delicacies she possessed, she was always willing 


146. SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

to share them with me I learned to love her. She was 
the daughter of Manfie Malappalap. Her name was 
Jobuveanut Malappalap. 

I was not compelled to do any work but occasionally 
would assist the men, if I felt inclined. One day, while 
walking with several natives, I discovered in the southern 
portion of the Island near the entrance of the harbor an 
ancient fortification. It was sixty feet square about fifteen 
feet high; built of hexagonal stones from five to ten ft. long 
eight inches in diameter, and of very fine workmanship. 
The natives were very superstitious; and as no one would 
venture to accompany, me I went in alone. The interior 
was partitioned off into fifteen cells; about five feet long 
and three feet wide. Truly it was a curious, as well as, an 
ingenious piece of masonry. None who accompanied me 
to it knew anything of its history, and upon further in- 
quiry I found that even the oldest Inhabitant did not 
know when or by whom it was built. After being on 
the Island several months, I laid aside my clothing and 
donned their costume The climate being tropical the 
loss of my clothes was no great inconvenience. Everv 
native was tatooed with the mark of the tribe. Both men 
and women were tatooed from the hips to the ankles, and 
on the arms, from the elbows to the wrists. The king in 
addition to the tribal mark was tattooed around his body 
with a design of a large crown. 

After I had been with them about two months they 
begun to impress me with their tribal mark. The pig- 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


147 - 


ment they used was obtained by burning a small bean, 
about the size of a hazel nut which grew in the ground 
Over the flame was placed a shell, the soot or carbon 
which sublimed, was scraped off, and mixed with water. 
With a small stick they then drew the design. Thorns, 
inserted closely together in a stick (from 3 to 5) were 
dipped into this preparation, and then struck a sharp tap 
with a small piece of wood which drove them sufficiently 
deep into the flesh, making an indelible impression on 
both mind and body. The tattooing was done by the 
women. Only a small place was picked at one sitting, 
allowing it to heal before renewing the operation. By 
this slow process, months were required for its completion. 
They began first to tattoo the wrist. Their means of ob- 
taining fire was by rubbing two pieces of seasoned wood 
together until by friction they became sufficiently heated 
to ignite. For this purpose they used a piece of wood 
which contained a groove. In this was rubbed with rapid 
movement and with considerable pressure, another very 

hard piece of wood, until by this continued friction, a 
very fine dust of lint was produced, which was first to 

ignite. A piece of punk is touched to this spark, and 
immediately preserves the fire, from which it is blown 
upon some light combustible material ready at hand. 
This is soon blown into a flame. It was a very tedious 
process, and required possibly half an hour. 

The natives as already stated were very superstitious. 
None would venture out alone at night. Their idea of 


148. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


the white man was that he came from the clouds. They 
had no knowledge of other lands; and thought his huge 
ships were constructed in a world foreign to this. The 
limits of their mundane sphere was their group of islands 
for none ventured on the big waters more than a few 
miles from home. 

They entertained great fear and respect for their dead 
and always buried them at the ends of their huts. 

Should a man’s wife die he was allowed to remarry once; 
but if the husband died the woman was denied that privi- 
lege. The upper classes are allowed two wives, the low- 
er but one at a time. The death of a chief, or king, or 
one of the natives who was considered wealthy, was cele- 
brated by a great feast. A day is set apart and all are 
demanded to contribute whatever they can give. Some 
bring tocar, cocoa-nuts, bread fruits; others yams, oranges 
fish, turtle, dog, etc. On the day appointed they congre- 
gate to enjoy the festivities. 

Their favorite drink “carva” is partaken of freely 
and it is made an event long to be remembered. When 
a native is seriously ill and expected to die, his relatives 
congregate around his bed, and when he has breathed his 
last, they make a grab for whatever furniture or orna- 
| ments the deceased may have possessed. This was the 
customary way of dividing the property among the heirs. 
Oftentimes there was quite a wrangle, especially when one 
had succeeded in capturing a prize much coveted. Often 
times this would be?a large brass or ivory ring. On the 


* 49 - 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

day of the funeral however, all jealousies and ill feelings 
are laid aside. 

The remains of the dead are wrapped in a preparation 
from a bark called “tappa", and interred in the ground. 

I During my stay on the island it did not rain, neither 
did it lighten or thunder. The sky was always clear, 
excepting occasionlly a few drifting clouds. At about 
five o’clock every morning a bank of fog arose from the 
eastward, entirely obscuring the sun. As soon as it 
closed over the west, it became so wet that in fifteen 
minutes, it would wet through a coat which might be 
out of doors. 

The atmosphere was salubrious. The air is so clear 
that one can see as far with the naked eye as can be seen 
in our atmosphere with strong glasses. Like as in the 
rest of the islands, during the morning there was a gen- 
tle land breeze followed in the afternoon by one from the 
sea. It was neither too warm nor too cool, the temper- 
ature remaining nearly the same throughout the year. 
Their mode of catching fish, beyond the coral reef, was, 
with hooks made from turtle shell; but in the space or 
lagoon between the reef and the island they resorted to a 
curious means or discovery. There was a tree which 
grew on the island whose leaves possessed a peculiar 
power. With a sufficient quantity of them pulverized, ; 
they would go a short distance from shore in their 
canoe;- and dive, carrying a hand full of this powder, 
which they would disseminate under the water. In a few 


i 


15°. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


minutes, the fish, becoming stupified by its peculiar 
properties, would rise to the surface, and float; where 
they were easily caught. 

In addition to their favorite drink, called “Carver”, 
they procured another, a non intoxicating drink, from 
the cocoa-nut during the season the fruit was maturing. 

The end of the case or shuck in which the fruit is 
enveloped is encircled with a string. This is wrapped 
daily until a projection or teat is formed; and when 
drawn out of sufficient length, the end is repeatedly incis- 
ed. From this opening there exudes a juice, which is 
carefully collected in cups made from the cocoa-nut shells. 
This juice resembles sweet cider very much in taste. If 
allowed to stand and ferment it will soon change into 
vinegar. 

When I first landed, I endeavored to keep a calender 
but, through neglect, so many days elapsed that I aband- 
oned it entirely. 

I began to get acquainted with the people, and 
gradually felt myself at home. Oftentimes I would 

wander by myself within the domains of the tribe for 
miles, not fearing any danger. The Island possesed nat- 
ural scenery that was grand. Its hills and intervening 
fertile valleys — studded here and there with small plan- 
tations of bananna, yams, cocanut and toca. Its forest of 
imposing trees, where I would often ramble to enjoy the 
stillness and admire its varigated foliage. Its coral 
bound shore, its clear sky and salubrious atmosphere 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. I 5 I . 

combined to make it, so far as natural advantages were 
concerned, a very desirable place to live. Yet to me 
there was a melancholy stillness that to me grew monoto- 
nous; and I longed to be again with civilized people. By 
a rough calculation I estimated I had been on the island 
about a ye ar. How I should make my escape, I did not 
know as I feared that another vessel would never ap- 
proach the island. Longingly I watched, and patiently 
waited for a sail; until discouraged, I nearly lost hope 
and tried to reconcile myself to remain there, to the end 
of my existance. My hopes however ended in friction, 
when one day I discovered a sail approaching the island. 
Scarcelv had the vessel been hove too, when the native 
were soon ready with their canoes, ladened with a supply 
of oranges, yams etc. When ready, two requested me to 
go with them probably because my knowledge of 
the language might enable them to make better trade. 
I readily acted on their suggestion, and we started for the 
ship; I hoping to be able to make my escape when the 
canoes approached, the ship, the crew noticeing that I 
was not of the race, called the captain's attention; who 
enquiring, asked me if I was not an Englishman? No sir 
I am an American. I said; and the conversation continu- 
ed , ‘ ‘How came you here . ' ' 

I deserted the whaling ship Matilda of London. 

How long have you been on the island? 

I do not know, as I have forgotten the date that I 
landed. Would you not like to get awav? we are need 


152. SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

of two men, and would like to have you; 

“Where are you bound? 

Hong Kong; and I will give you fifty dollars for 
the run. 

“I am anxious to leave, .but fear to attempt it; for 
should I fail to make my escape, I should no doubt be 
killed.” 

During this conversation the trading was going on. 
“You remain close to the vessel,” said the Captain, “and 
when we are through trading, we will fill the ship away, 
and throw you a bow-line”. 

The natives were not long in making their exchanges 
and the Captain beckoned that it was now my turn. We 
paddled our boat close to the ship; when they gave us a 
line which my companions made fast. While pretending 
to be bargaining for a trade, the vessel filled away, and 
was going through the water at a good rate of speed- 
uearlv sufficient to tow our frail canoe under. The na- 
tives became alarmed, but I pacified them. When the 
ship had gained sufficient headway so as to make it 
impossible to be overtaken by the canoes they threw me 
a bow-line; which I quickly threw over my shoulders and 
under my arms, and was instantly drawn up on the deck. 
At the same moment they cut the line which was tow- 
ing the canoe, casting her adrift. It fell astern, and 
the ship sped away on her course. The natives holloed 
loudly. Being out of their reach, I felt safe, and beck- 
oned them a good bye. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


15 


o- 


My thoughts and habits had been moulded by more 
than a year's experience. My interest and sympathies 
were centered on the Island, especially as I had develop- 
ed a love for the wife I had left and I felt almost a stranger 
among civilized people. We gradually left the land from 
sight. I took one lingering look, and bid the island a 
farewell forever. 


0a 



*3 




SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

• » 


CHAPTER IX. 


FIGHT WITH CHINESE PIRATES. 


The ship on which I escaped from Ascension bound 
for Hong Kong China, was loaded with Sandal wood 
and Beach-lamar. The captain and crew had given me 
forthwith, a suit of clothing and he had agreed to pay me 
fifty dollars for the trip. After twenty two days of fine 
weather and fair wind, we reached our destination, I 
was then discharged; and remained in Hong Kong ten 
days, I then shipped on the American Bark Eugene, bound 
for New York, where we arrived, having had good weatlr 
er, in one hundred and twenty days. Remaining in 
New York until I had spent my money, I again enlisted 
in the United States navy, for a period of three years- 
I was sent on board the Dolphin, a brig of war carying 
an armament of fourteen guns, and a crew of 76 men. 
She was commanded by Capt Henry S. Ogden. And on 
the twenty third day of June 1849, we sailed for China 
via. St Helena. Reaching there, we remained five 
days, resupplied ship with vegetable i, fruit and fresh-meats. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


7 - ^ m 

x ^7 

From there we sailed to Cape Town where liberty wa 
given. We then sailed to the Isle of France where we 
remained ten days. And from there went across the In- 

* 

dian Ocean — through the strait of Sunda (between Sum- * 
atra and Java ) to Macao where we remained two 
months, refitting ship. From there we sailed again to 
Hong Kong, where the American flag ship was lying. 
While here I wrote my first, and only letter home. We 
were soon ordered to cruise in the China Sea to protect the 
American Commerce from pirates, which at that time 
were giving considerable trouble to merchantmen. We v 
got underway and cruised as far as Amoy. From there 
to Shanghai and thence to Manilla on the island of 
Luzon. After having liberty at the latter place, we sailed * 
for Foochow and there joined the flagship. England and 
China were then at war and we were ordered to sail to f 
Worn Poo, eleven miles from Canton. The river at its 
mouth was very shallow, and we were obliged to take 
all guns and ammunition out of the brig so as to lighten ^ 
her over the shoals; where they were brought to us and 
remounted. The Dolphin was the first American vessel * 
to reach Canton. Our vessel was moored between two 

* 

half moon batteries. The gates of Canton were o:ened; * 
and for the first time, an American officer landed in the ' ? 
city. The war soon terminated, and we sailed down the 1 * 
river lightered our guns as before, and sailed to Foochow . 1 
A pirate junk was reported to be off Macao and as our ves- ' 
sel was the the smallest of the fleet, and easy to manage, A 

v 

a 


■- 




158 . 


SEVENTEEN YE VRS FROM HOME. 


we were ordered at once to cruise for her. The next day 
we sighted a sail and bore down. Discovering it was 
the pirate junk, we gave chase. When within range, 
we fired a blank for them to heave too. They returned 
our fire with their broad-side guns. We then opened on 
them, and several rounds were fired from both vessels. 
Our heavy metal cut away her foremast, and she was 
disabled. She was supplied with long sweeps, or oars, 
which they projected from the port holes, and with these 
were very effectually making their escape. The wind 
being light we were unable to overtake them with our ves- 
sel, and we were ordered to lower our boats and man 
them. Three boats were lowered, containing together 
thirty six men, armed with rifles and cutlasses. Each 
boat carried one twelve lb. Howitzer. With these, and 
with our muskets we kept a constant fire upon their quar- 
ter, and thus killed many of them. As we neared the 
pirate, they endeavored to swing their vessel in order to 
get their guns to bare upon us. But surmising their 
trick we kept our boats in her wake. They endeavoring 
to escape us, put their vessel dead before the wind. Sev- 
eral times they came very near giving us a raking fire. Yet 
by great skill in managing our boats, we succeeded in keep- 
ing out cf range. Finally after a great deal of manouvering 
we got our boat under her sides — each man grabed for 
her rails boarded; and fought hand to hand on the deck 
with her crew. In the fight, I killed one Chinaman and 
we drove several overboard. A wounded man of her 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


159 - 


number, seeing they were taken tried to crawl with a ligh- 
ted match to blew up the powder in her magazine. He 
was shot and thrown overboard. In fifteen minutes we 

. succeeded in effecting a capture. Man}' of her crew, to 

, > 

escape our sabres, jumped overboard and were drowned 
or shot. Out of her crew of sixty only ten remained. 

She was well equipped, being supplied with twelve 
broad side guns. Only two of our men w T ere killed and 
three were w 7 ounded. She had on board bale-goods, 
a variety of merchandise, and a considerable quantity 
of opium, which she had taken from merchantmen. We 
towed her into Hong Kong. The Junk and goods were s 
sold, and the prisoners given into charge of the Chinese 
Government. 

John Chinaman as a rule is a peaceable and law 
abiding citizens, but when he is actuated by a sinister 
motive, may prove a very aggressive and dangerous foe. 
It takes a great deal to stir up the average Chinaman, 
but when he is once stirred he may prove himself almost 
a demon. The Chinese pirates crowded around close to ^ 
Amoy and Formosa, have proved in the past a great 
source of annoyance and expense, not only to the Chi- - 
nese Government, but also to merchantmen of other na- 
tiens, principally, the Hutch and English. It has been 
told and no doubt is true, that the island of Formosa w r as 
the strong hold of a once powerful pirate. His follow 7 - 
ers were so many — his resources so great and his name sc , 
feared that the Emperor of China w T as forced to form w 7 itl 


i6o. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


him a treaty. That the city of Amoy was pillaged by 
this buccaneer, and looted of its treasures, its inhabitants 
nearly all slain and the place held as the capitol city of 
his small empire. On several occasions, he defeated 
large armed forces sent against him. Finally the Emper- 
or of China in order to rid his kingdom of so expensived 
foe invited him to become a mandemn of his empire 
and conferred upon him the name of Duke of Formo- 
sa — with the hereditary title of Marquis. Thus the free- 
booter became one of the greatest peers in the realm. 

Soon after the fight with the pirates we sailed a 
short distance up the river to a place called Wampoo, 
where we remained ten days, and were then ordered on 
the North East coast of the Chinese Empire. While on the 
cruise, sickness broke out on the brig, which proved to 
be the “plague” and we sailed to Foochow. Here nearly 
all of our crew died. It was one of the most distressing- 
ordeals that I ever passed through . Strong healthy men 
succumbed like puny children. Many would die twenty 
four hours after taken. Medical skill did not stay its 
progress. Fortunately, I did not contract the disease. I 
was signal quarter-master, and had charge of drawing the 
grog, and when serving the daily allowance would in- 
variably succeed in procuring for myself an extra amount. 
Whether this over-stimulation acted as a preventative or 
not, I will not say. Our sail maker having died I was 
detailed to fill his place. The news of our distress hav- 
ing been made known to the United States Government, 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 1 6 1 . 

the Marion Sloop of war was sent out commanded by 
Lieutenant Semmes, with a crew to sail the brig home. 
Lorenzo P. Davis, our Lieutenant, was sent on board the 
Mai ion, and with her to remain on the coast of China. 
After fumigating and cleaning the brig, we were waiting 
for orders to return home, when two pirate Junks were 
reported a few miles up at the island Warn Poo, near the 
Canton river, and we with the Marion, were ordered out 
to cruise. We succeeded in finding them at a small sea- 
port town, running close to land, we anchored, double 
shotted our guns, six boats were lowered, filled with men 
armed as before, and ordered to board. Seeing it was im- 
possible to escape, they surrendered without firing a gun. 
Being taken in Chinese waters, the vessels, with their 
crews, were given into the charge of the Chinese Govern- 
ment. The goods were confiscated, and as I afterwards 
learned, all the crew executed. 

A few days after this orders came for the Dolphin to 
return home via: California. On the 12th, day of June 
1850 we sailed by way of Japan, stopping at Honolulu, 
Hawaii, one of the Sandwich Islands. Thence to San Fran- 
cisco, where we wintered. The gold fever was raging 
therein 1851 , and most of our crew deserted. We re- 
mained there until the mcntli cf June, when having cur 
crew made up, we sailed for Valparaiso, Chili. Arriving 
there, liberty was given, and after taking seven tons of 
gold bullion on board for New York, we sailed for Rio 
Janeiro, making the passage in 39 days. Having cur 


i 62 . 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


ship resupplied with provisions and water, we sailed for 
the United States. After a passage of 42 days we arrived 
in New York, on the 3rd, of July 1851. Thus complet- 
ing a voyage around the world in a little over three years. 
I was one of only four from a crew of 76 men that went 
out who lived to return in her to the United States. During 
the voyage one was drowned — one fell from the mast 
striking a cannon, and was instantly killled, two men 
were killed in our encounter with the pirate, and of the 72 
left of the crew all but four of us died of the Plague. 

When we arrived in New York, orders came to haul 
the brig into the dock yard, where we dismounted cannon 
and soon stripped ship. On the seventh of July the crew 
was discharged. And I received my balance for the 
cruise, two hundred and seventy-five dollars. 



SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 



< 


CHAPTER X. 

MOTHER WELCOMING ME HOME. 

It had been seventeen years since I left, and now 
I concluded to return home. During my wanderings 
about* the world my thoughts would often lead 'me to the 
scenes of my childhood. The hip-roofed house by the 
mill my mother busy with her daily cares — my 
brothers and sisters with bright faces, merrily playing 
around the door, while father was at work in the field. 

1 he placid pond, bordered by its weeping willows — the 
school house by the road— my companions, there, and a 
thousand other pictures would pass before my mind or 
haunt me in my dreams. Time nor distance could not ef- v 
face from memory the early impressions of. my bovhood 
And although I am growing decrepid with the weight of 
years, yet all of this is as vivid now to me as then. How 
oft, whether at sea, or in some foreign port, have I sat in 
the twilight and pictured the scene at home. I could al- 
most hear the lowing of the cows. The pigeons cooing 
to their mates as they sought their perches. The geese 
wending their way from the pond in file across the mead' 


j 164. • SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 

s ow. Then the combined chatter of the fowl in the barn 
t yard, greed over the evening meal. The teams were 
i fed, the day’s work was done and as evening gradual - 
i ly blended into night; all was still. 

] The day I received my money, I invested one hun- 
c dred dollars in clothing. The next day I took the train 
t for Philadelphia. On the ninth, I procured passage on 
« the Schooner Bird for Lewes, Del. On the nth we ar- 
a rived, I then being 16 miles from my home. After in- 
1 quiring, I procured a conveyance with a man to drive. 

Putting in my baggage, and giving him the directions 
1 where to go, we started. As we rode along I was ab- 
' sorbed in deep meditation. What a reckless life I had 
' lived. The choicest years of my life I had put to naught- 
< What trouble and sorrow I had brought upon my parents. 
Were they yet living, that I might implore their forgive- 
ness? Should I know them again? And would they re- 
cognize in me the return of a progical son? 

We arrived in the neighbor-hood of my home about 
three o’clock in the afternoon, the scenery in many places 
had changed but little. And although seventeen years 
had elapsed since last I saw it, yet I had no difficulty in 
directing the man on the right road. About a mile from 
our destination we passed a small house and in the door, 
sat an old lady, busily knitting. Being attracted by the 
passing team, I noticed she cast a glance over her glasses 
at us. This woman was my mother, but I did not know 
her, neither did she recognize me. We rode on, and 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 165. 

soon arrived at the mill. Several men were congregated 
talking over the country gossip of the neighbor-hood. 
But none of them did I know. Then fully came to view 
my boyhood’s home. The willow which father planted 
in the yard had grown to a large tree. The house looked 
familiar. But before venturing further, we stopped at a 
small house a few yards from the mill, where I thought 
best to make some inquiry. A lady chanced to be in 
the door, and alighting, I inquired of her what family 
lived in the next house. “My son-in-law,” she replied, 
“What has become of the family that lived there 17 years 
ago?” I asked. “The man is dead” she answered. This 
was the first news of my father’s death. I asked, “Is his 
widow yet living?” “Yes sir, ” she said “Could you tell 
me where she lives?” “Yes sir, she is living with her 
daughter Mary, who lives about one mile from here.”How 
many children has she?” “She has three, but there is one 
she has not seen for many years. He left home when a 
boy, and it is supposed he is dead.” “What are their 
names?” “Zachariah, Jackson, Mary and Sallie, Jackson 
is the one that ran away” “What has become of the 
others” “They are all living, Mary and Sallie are married 
and live only a short distance from here. Zachariah — is a 
farmer, and lives not far from Georgetown.” “To inform 
you lady, I will tell you I am her son that has been away 
so long” “Oh! won’t your mother be glad to see you! 
She exclaimed “Would you be kind enough to allow me 
to leave my baggage here?” I asked, “Certainly, you 


t66. 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 


are perfectly welcome.” I learned that the woman's 
name was Mrs. Grey. After taking out my baggage,and 
placing it in the house, I paid the man for his conveyance 
and he drove off. While talking a colored man who was 
my playmate when a boy came up, and hearing me tell 
who I was, without inquiring, immediately set off to in- 
form my mother of my return. He was so elated, that 
he ran all the way, and almost out of breath, in broken 
words called out, “Mrs. Prettyjohn! your lost son has 
come home!” “Oh! no Pete: you are mistaken,” replied 
my mother, “I shall never see him again.” 

“Yes, but it is so Mrs Pettyjohn. I heard him tell 
Mrs Gray. And further, a man brought him there with 
a two horse team; and he has taken out a large chest, 
and several bundles.” “I will go then,” she said,” and 
see if it is him.” And throwing down her knitting she 
started. While sitting talking with my kind hostess, 
Mrs. Gray’s daughter chanced to look out of the door, 
and said , “there comes Mrs. Pettyjohn with bonnet in 
hand, almost running.” To see what effect the news 
might have upon Mother, I stepped behind the door. 
And as she came, she asked excitedly, “Where is my 
long lost child?” I then came from my seclusion; and 
when she saw me she was so overcome with joy that 
she fainted and fell. I ran and picked her up;and cal- 
ling for water, bathed her face. She soon regained con- 
sciousness; but fainted the second time. I then went out 
in the yard and wept bitterly. It was the first time I had 


SEVENTEEN YEARS FROM HOME. 167. 

shed a tear for either joy or sorrow in seventeen years. 
When she had fully recovered, I went in. She clasped 
me in her arms and asked, “Is this my son?’’ “Yes, 
Mother, this is your wayward boy,’’ I said. Oh? I am so 
glad that I have, been permitted to live to see you once 
more” I could not refrain, from weeping; and we both 
wept, locked in each others embrace. 


THE END. 


[ 








3 

E 










f 




a 

t 

v 

f 

fc 






\ 

c 

I 


I 


r- 

C 

r 

C 

C 


1 


1 


1 

A* 

1 


1 




107 89 'i| 


i 




P 2 9 1950 





y vj* 


WS o - 

* \ / .♦ 


* 


-\V 



^ ° 

■% V'^VV A 4 

o, 'o . ,. * A 

* t> A *£> 

* O ^ o 




<>\ 

aV ftNo V, ' 

. n,/ : 

° iP V*. » -/-///mw . > ~ A 

.* p.o i »jizi) > -*s ~y o % 

“ 0 a° <^» * ' 1 ’ * a Vo 9 ,0 

*° aTJ'. ^,, , v %> ^ <••' 

** V^m^r*- .v -V'^vv %#> 

% ^ ,0 V t • *o A V 6 0 * 0 * 4 Q ' 

+ 0 ± #?/!?7sb * 0 »^tv *r ^ r, u 




O V 


0 i° v\ > * X c> 

o* 0 ° «> C-, 

aV 1 o 

V* 'c* .t.o. >\ .V ^ 


♦ t0 — * 

* -oa c> -> 

<y 5 .. °* 




vP 

v/\ 0 

0 

tfA * ^ 

**., ^o A ,•**, ’V 

* O .j i> 4 . <* *P 

v* r yr 

V* 

s x° ^ 

« 0 ^*» 



% * 





A 


o 1 


,* °o 

9 ,0^ <&*-... 

r o v t • A,i^ 

A ^ \\!//X^ ^ A, 


1 ’ «<V *n 



J.0' ’> V” 5 s " 

^ .Wa** A a V 

°. : 

0 C,^ 5 O 

«y ^ c . 

9 0^ v2 



‘A.- 0 9 .0 

"♦ A - » ’ • °. y 

• ^ ^ 
r VV • 

* t 




Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
°* Treatment Date: April 2015 


PreservationTechnologies 


C A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 

111 Thomson Park Drive 


Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724) 779-2111 


s > 1 


A V 


CJ 


■>* V *'«’• . 

I * . V a n y ^*V x ' 



<aV** 

* AV V*\ e 

*< *\ 

o • * * .\ v >>* ' 4 * • • 

& r0”°„ tS> 


mr. *+ o ? .‘ 

W; »’ 



*<?* 


'O. * O m \ * A 



'o *« - * * 


o * * 


-,-w‘° » 0v ^ 

f' .. %> *0° ^ *'.,,*!■ I 

/ : 28 & \/ V** •• ' 

-k -§Pi®,- ■j'-v -, v 

^> ^ s cl v * 

^ --- v* O *??.*' A? 

°» O, c*"”* ^ f)0 . IU, •f'o 

&£*,% ° .«r ,‘^W, *t, 0° *W2?i.’ O J 

t ! ° V « ^ o T - P‘jp * oV 

'^O *0 v*, > 4 O^ * * <0*7- 

1n\.* ~0 ^ * ^3 \ /IP O ^ f\ ^ 

" 0 A 0 ^ * " ’ * «?* * ® » 0 * A° 

/ A %/ :M|: W • 

"** -i' / ?f% oWW* \V^ 


'o. ^o . * - A 


r o 


4 O. 

1 > y<\ * 


A \ w ^C* ' • • * 

A V 0° " 0 * <Z' 

• .^S\Xv <>*“ *P 

•*\ s <^N\\\ n'^k ^ ^ . 

° v A o' 


- »♦ *> O ', 

% ‘ o « » 

V *LM'* cv ,0 

•«, •• •#** x'i' v 

^ ' ° r vP^ « 


>5°^ 


HECKMAN 

BINDERY INC. 




NOV 89 


N. MANCHESTER, 
INDIANA 46962 


* _ 


f 0 <$> "' <y 

' - t *°* O v % 

\ : 

• ^k/^aafx^ -6 A> .c 
v • • v <u — ^ 

.0^ t .-*, ♦o, 

» %». ^ u *MA>* ^ ^ 

; -vi4i:^o jp./ 

• c* ^ 








